Abuja — The Federal Government has awarded a N49.4 billion contract for three ministries covering agriculture,Water Resources, Aviation, Transport and Power,with the objective of providing additional amenities and facilities for the country.

This was the decision of the weekly Federal Executive Council, presided over by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday.

The decisions were conveyed to State House correspondents, by Ministers of Informationand Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili and her Agriculture and Aviation counterparts,Fidelia Njeze and Babatunde Omotoba respectively.

According to Njeze, 'The council also approved the revised estimate for the completion of Galma Multipurpose Dam in Kaduna by N6.841billion. The initial cost was N4.9billion. This now brings the estimated cost of the project to N11. 774billion.

The initial contract, according to the Minister of State for Agriculture, was for a single purpose dam which she said is uneconomical, and therefore, a revised concept of the project was needed.

She noted that the multi-purpose dam would enhance irrigation and fish farming among other things.

"Series of studies conducted by many consultants on Galma River System between 1979 and 2005 revealed the potentials of irrigated agriculture, hydropower generation and potable water supply," she said.

The council also approved 20.6million euros for the maintenance of the systems deployed under the total radar coverage Nigeria project of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency.

The aviation minister argued that the contract is in line with the aspiration of the Federal Government to enhance safety in our airspace, and ensure equipment maintenance arrangement that will make the various systems, of the total radar coverage Nigeria project functional at all times.

Another $6.741million and additional N715.33million was approved for the contract for the construction of two 60MVA, 132/33KV sub-stations at Aboh Mbaise and another two 132KV line bays extension at Owerri sub-station.

The minister of information said the two projects were meant to improve quality of power of the national grid, and evacuation of the anticipated increase in the nation's electricity generation capacity to 10,000MW by 2010.

Contracts for the completion of the remaining 22-km Ajaokuta- Warri rail line, including six stations along the route, were awarded to Julius Berger for (N9.24 billion and 109.28 million euros); and Team Nigeria Limited (N594.51 million and 7.02 million euros).