The Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has announced plans to rehabilitate roads leading to several major estates owned by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), including Festac Town in Lagos, and the Gwarimpa and Lugbe estates in Abuja. This move aims to enhance accessibility and improve the living conditions of residents in these estates, in line with the Federal Government’s infrastructure and housing development agenda.
During a recent courtesy visit by FHA Managing Director/CEO Honourable Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo to FERMA’s headquarters in Abuja, FERMA Managing Director/CEO, Engineer Chukwuemeka Agbasi, affirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring the roads leading to these estates are motorable. Agbasi noted that a team of experts will soon be deployed to assess the scope of work required for the rehabilitation project.
“We will constitute a team to assess the extent of work needed on these roads, and the findings will be incorporated into our 2025 budget appropriation. Additionally, we will explore alternative funding sources to expedite the rehabilitation process,” Agbasi stated.
The FERMA chief also emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration between FERMA and FHA, noting that such partnerships could contribute to developing land under the agency’s purview. Agbasi expressed optimism about the potential for this cooperation to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of road maintenance and service delivery to all Nigerians, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
“The Federal Government’s limited capacity to fully fund infrastructure projects has made public-private partnerships (PPPs) an essential solution. By leveraging this approach, FERMA can bridge funding gaps, generate new revenue streams, and ensure the efficient delivery of critical infrastructure,” Agbasi highlighted.
This collaborative effort is seen as critical to fulfilling President Tinubu’s vision of improving infrastructure and housing. The “Renewed Hope Agenda” prioritizes both housing and road infrastructure, recognizing the interdependence of these sectors in promoting national development.
Honourable Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, during the meeting, stressed the importance of rehabilitating roads around FHA estates. He particularly called on FERMA to prioritize the roads leading to the Gwarimpa and Lugbe estates in Abuja and the Festac estate in Lagos. According to Ojo, accessible and well-maintained roads are essential for the success of housing projects.
“Accessible roads are critical for the success of housing projects, and FERMA’s support will enable FHA to focus on delivering affordable housing to Nigerians, including FERMA staff, who will be among the beneficiaries,” Ojo remarked.
Ojo also praised FERMA for its efforts in maintaining key road networks, citing roads in Ekiti State and estates in Gwarimpa, Abuja, and Kano State as examples of successful rehabilitation projects.
