LERE OJEDOKUN, Abuja

Also, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly meeting chaired by President Olusegun Obasanjo approved another N1.29 billion for two irrigation projects in Imo and Anambra States to boost local rice production ahead of January 1, 2006 ban on imported rice.

Former Minister of Power and Steel and new Education Minister, Senator Liyel Imoke said the four units (Phases 1, 2, 3 and 5) of Egbin power station were to be rehabilitated to augment phases four and six which had previously been overhauled. Each has an installed capacity for 220 megawatts.

He pointed out that it was over a decade when the power station was comprehensively serviced, thus leading to fluctuating power generation of between 1,000 and 1,120 megawatts daily. This, he said, would peak to 1,320 megawatts when the rehabilitation was completed.

A breakdown of the amount approved for irrigation showed that N1.02 billion was voted for the cultivation of the 3,850 hectares of land at the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project while government okayed N89.9 million for the Ibu Irrigation Pilot Project in Imo State, which covers 71 hectares.

The projects, government explained were aimed at meeting up the expected shortfall in local supply of rice that may arise when the ban on rice importation became effective on January 1.

Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, explained that the rehabilitation of the Lower Anambra State irrigation scheme followed the visit and concern of President Obasanjo to the site of the abandoned project, which started in 1980.

He said government realised that the scheme could add about 30,000 metric tonnes of rice annually to local production capacity as well as serve as a major source of employment and wealth creation.

"We believe that this is part of the federal government’s policy on rice production and food security and the intention of the government to ban importation of rice. We believe the 30,000 metric tonnes of rice that will be produced inn that area will go a long way to support the policy, and also to support what the federal government is doing on employment creation," the minister stated.

Alhaji Shagari while describing the project as the biggest in the entire South East, said the rehabilitation was expected to be completed within two years, stressing that adequate funds had been made for it in the 2005 budget.

On the Ibu irrigation project in Imo State, he noted that as a pilot scheme, the essence was to encourage people of the area to be fully involved in irrigation farming.

Said he: "We hope by the introduction of this irrigation scheme, the people, especially in Imo State would come to understand the importance of irrigation farming because it can create employment. It can also help in food security."

The minister revealed further that the project was unique because water would not be lifted from dam, but drawn directly from Imo River. It is expected to be completed within a year.

Speaking on the projects, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu said that the rehabilitation of the Lower Anambra scheme, for instance, would include access road, drainage and rice mill.

He asserted that they would have " major impact" on food production, job and wealth creation.

Another decision was approval of new bye-laws for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which were meant to ensure safety of aircraft and persons using airport facilities.

Aviation Minister, Mallam Issa Yuguda listed the reviewed laws to include prohibition of unauthorised access to certain parts of the airport provision on preservation of law and order within airports and outright ban on touting and related activities.

Others are prevention of used or forged tickets and other criminal forms of travelling documents as well as arrangement to ensure that security officers were effectively in charge of airports’ general surveillance.

The minister who said that the laws were last reviewed in 1978, added that the new measure was in line with the on-going reform agenda.