Mr. Emeka Agbasi, the Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), highlighted the pressing need for an annual budget of N300 billion to effectively maintain federal roads throughout Nigeria. Speaking during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on FERMA in Abuja, Agbasi acknowledged the agency’s consistent struggle with inadequate funding, hindering its ability to fulfill its mandate.
While emphasizing the funding challenges, Agbasi expressed, “Funding is an issue; the current estimate of our funding need is about N300 billion, but we have never had that type of money and it is an issue. We are looking at other sources of funding in the work that FERMA engages in outside the budgetary provisions that are provided by the government.”
In addition to the financial constraints, Agbasi informed lawmakers that the agency currently holds liabilities exceeding N100 million, owed to contractors for projects spanning from 2015 to 2021.
Committee Chairman Hon Aderemi Oseni underscored the urgent need for a transformative approach within FERMA, asserting that the 10th National Assembly will not tolerate “business as usual.” Oseni drew attention to the deplorable state of roads across the country, attributing it to the suffering of Nigerians, hindrance to economic growth, and damage to the nation’s reputation.
Addressing the assembly, Oseni declared, “The days of huge budgetary allocations with little or no impact on road maintenance are over; we are here to ensure that every naira spent by FERMA delivers tangible results for the Nigerian people.” He emphasized the committee’s commitment to demanding performance, value for money, accountability, transparency, and professionalism from FERMA.
In a resolute stance, Oseni warned that the House committee would not hesitate to utilize the full instruments of the law to sanction any misdeeds brought to their attention.
