The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the award of N8.3 billion contract for the land reclamation project at Abam-Nnuju water front in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Briefing newsmen after FEC meeting, Information Minister Labaran Maku, said the council also approved the procurement of six security boats to combat criminality along the waterways.

The minister said government has to take steps in ensuring the reclamation projects in order to halt threat of coastal erosion.

Maku explained that the security boats were designed to provide security for vessels that dock along the shores of the country and three of them would be controlled by the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Ports Authority.

He said the remaining three boats would be used for inland water security and are to be operated by the Marine Police and the National Inland Water Ways Authority.

Minister of Transport, Senator Audu Idris said contract for purchase of the security vessels will cost about N3.3 billion.

Idris said FEC also approved the purchase of four fast moving passenger water bus for inland water transportation. The boats are to ply the Port-Harcourt-Bonny road, Calabar-Oron, Yenogoa-Nembe-Brass and Marina Lagos and Mile 2 in the South-West. The four vessels are to cost N321.5 million.