FEC to ratify printing of permanent voters

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) will tomorrow ratify the printing of 40 million permanent voters’ cards at its weekly meeting.

The voters’ cards, which have already been anticipatorily approved by President Goodluck Jonathan, are to be issued to Nigerians by the Independent National electoral commission. They are to replace the temporary voters cards issued to registered Nigerians, above 18years, prior to the 2011 general elections.

The ratification of the voters’ cards is the second of six items to be discussed by the FEC.

Other issues to be discussed include “contracts in respect of infrastructural development for the Niger Delta Development Commission,” which is to be presented by Mr. Jonathan; and Blue print on Albinism education as well as implementation of approved standards for school buses in basic and secondary schools in the country.

Two issues involving the Nigerian Customs service will be discussed. These are contracts for the procurement of two high speed patrol boats and training of crew members; and ratification of the construction of senior staff quarters at Jabi Lake in Abuja, both of which are to be presented by finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The last item to be discussed at the meeting is Nigeria’s participation at the United Nations climate change conference held in South Africa last November.

The Federal Executive Council, made up of the President, his Vice President, and ministers meets every Wednesday. 

The council has been criticised in the past, including by the National Assembly, for making approval of contracts its main objective.