The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved N240.2million for 44 units of G5 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by a local manufacturer, Innoson, for state coordinators of Subsidy Re-investment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). This was sequel to the memo brought before it by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu. Also, a draft bill on metallurgy would soon be sent to the National Assembly for consideration.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after the weekly FEC meeting. He said the 44 IVM G5 SUVs were meant for the 44 chairmen of the states and the FCT Coordination and Implementation Commission (SCIC) of the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment (CSWYE) project of SURE-P and the Implementation Unit (FPIU) at the headquarters. "To effectively implement this project, it becomes important that utility vehicles are procured which will enhance monitoring and supervision of the community services, women and youths employment activities at the state and local government levels nationwide. There is a budgetary provision in the 2013 appropriation for the project.

"The choice of Messrs Innoson Vehicle Manufacturer Company Limited is in line with the federal government’s policy to patronise locally manufactured vehicles through direct procurement method of the said vehicles," Maku said. The minister also disclosed that a memo was brought before the council by the Minister of Solid Mineral Resources, Musa Sada, seeking to present a draft bill on metallurgy legislation to the National Assembly.

Maku said the bill would ensure rapid development in the steel sector, adding that it would also in no small measure aid local manufacturers, especially Innoson Motors.  Sada’s memo was subsequently approved by FEC, and the bill was expected to be sent to National Assembly.