Nigeria’s Minister of Works, State, Mohammad Goronyo says the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA is underfunded and requires over N700 billion to maintain the nation’s roads.
He stated this at the National Assembly during the year 2025 budget defence for FERMA.
Goronyo noted that the N64. 88 billion allocations proposed in the 2025 budget is significantly lower than the 2024 budget which was N96. 7 billion.
The Minister explained that considering the enormity of maintenance required on the Federal Roads around the nation the yearly Federal allocation is grossly inadequate.
The FERMA proposed budget of N64. 88 billion, comprises N4.9 billion for personnel costs, N33. 468 billion for overhead costs, and N26. 487 billion for capital costs.
“This budget prioritizes major trunk A roads within the six geopolitical zones, aligning with Mr. President’s development and economic recovery objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“ I want to implore this esteemed Committee to support the Agency to ensure the sustainability of road infrastructure maintenance. The benefits of increased financial support will ensure scaling up preventive maintenance, and promoting sustainable road maintenance practices”, Goronyo concluded.
The Chairman Senate Committee on FERMA, Distinguished Senator Babangida Husaini questioned the much attention paid to the construction of new roads at the expense of the maintenance of the existing ones.
He added that good roads facilitate development therefore a solution must be proposed for the underfunding the Agency is experiencing.
The Managing Director/ CEO of FERMA, Engr. Agbasi Chukwuemeka, explained the performance of the 2024 budget as well as the Agency’s performance in line with its Key Performance Indicators.
He further listed some challenges the agency is facing which includes “inadequate budgetary allocation, distressed aged base Pavement, damages and vandalisation of structure, pronounced climate change issues or adverse weather conditions, need to upscale the Human Resource Department to conform with modern trends in road management”.
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