Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA

FERMA DEFENDS N64.88 BILLION FOR 2025 BUDGET

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has proposed a total of N64,888,000,000.00 (Sixty-Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million Naira) only for the 2025 budget appropriation. The budget prioritizes major trunk ‘A’ roads within the Six Geopolitical zones, aligning with Mr. President’s development and economic recovery objectives.

The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq., who is the supervising Minister of the Agency, made this opening presentation today at the budget defence before the joint session of the Senate and House Committees on FERMA. The Hon. Minister assured that FERMA is committed to ensure transparency and accountability, using data-driven decision-making and regular community engagement in road maintenance planning.

He disclosed that in collaboration with the Committees and Key Stakeholders, efforts to reduce the burden on Federal Government maintenance of road assets nationwide is being looked into. “FERMA is in the process of developing, modifying and redefining key policies which will generate resources for the Agency to proactively maintain our roads for ease of movement of people, goods and services."

Goronyo further expressed gratitude to members of the Committees for their unwavering support in ensuring the sustainable development and maintenance of Federal roads infrastructure to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.

In his presentation to the Committees, the Managing Director of FERMA, Dr. Emeka Agbasi, fnse; reiterated the paucity of funds of the Agency, noting that adequate funding is needed to enable the Agency increase its activities in preventive maintenance and other interventions on Federal Roads across the country.

He stressed that the Agency is faced with enormous challenges as a result of low budgetary allocation. He noted that inadequate releases of fund for the 2024 budget, has negatively affected the ability of the Agency to maintain the roads.

Other challenges he enumerated that are facing the Agency includes age factors of the roads. Many of the roads were constructed in the early 70s and they require total rehabilitation. Also, he stressed that abuse of the roads by Nigerians is another factor that is reducing road lifespan.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, Sen. Hussaini Babangida, frowned at the practice where we have continuous construction of new roads without adequate measures to maintain existing ones. He noted that the funds for road maintenance is highly inadequate because of the poor conditions of the roads. He is of the view that alternative sources of funding should be explored to increase funding for the road sector.

FG TO PENALIZE ROAD ABUSERS AS FERMA LAUNCHES “OPERATION SAFEGUARD OUR ROADS”

The Federal Government has announced plans to penalize vehicle owners and road users responsible for damaging federal highways across the country.

The Minister of State for Works, Mr. Bello Goronyo, disclosed this during the inauguration of the rehabilitation of a 58km section of the Sokoto-Illela-Niger Republic border road in Sokoto State. The event, organized by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), also included an inspection of the on-going repairs along the Sokoto-Illela highway.

Goronyo described the Sokoto-Illela road as a transboundary road linking Nigeria to Konni in the Niger Republic. He emphasized its strategic importance as critical infrastructure, highlighting its potential to enhance economic activities, create employment opportunities, and improve security in the region.

At the event, FERMA launched “Operation Safeguard Our Roads,” an initiative aimed at keeping federal roads in good condition all year long. This underscores the Agency’s commitment to preserving the nation’s road infrastructure and ensuring the safety of its citizens.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government spends a significant amount annually on road rehabilitation and maintenance. He issued a warning to vehicle owners and individuals causing damage to roadways or obstructing traffic to desist from such actions, stating that violators would face strict penalties. He also called on state and local governments, as well as the general public, to collaborate in protecting road infrastructure by reporting any destructive activities to the relevant authorities.

In addition to the road rehabilitation project, Mr. Goronyo launched solar-powered streetlight projects at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport and nearby roads. He described these projects as essential for enhancing public safety and security.

The Managing Director/CEO; Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Dr. Emeka Agbasi, commended the Minister’s efforts. He explained that the Agency is transitioning from a reactive to a proactive approach to road maintenance, emphasizing that keeping roads in good condition is more cost-effective than waiting for them to deteriorate. Agbasi further highlighted that “Operation Safeguard Our Roads” is a year-round program designed to ensure federal roads remain in optimal condition.

FERMA BOSS PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR FERMA MULTIPURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The Managing Director/CEO, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, Ph.D, FNSE, FNIHTE has assured the executives and members of the FERMA Multipurpose Cooperative Society of the Agency’s full support in its efforts to empower members financially.

Engr. Agbasi made this commitment at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the cooperative society, held recently at FERMA Headquarters.

In his address, Engr. Agbasi congratulated the newly elected executives and commended the positive relationship between FERMA’s Management and the Co-operative society.

The Managing Director also applauded staff members for embracing a spirit of cooperation, emphasizing that the Management is dedicated to staff welfare and welcomes discussions and suggestions that contribute to enhancing employee well-being.

The outgoing President of the FERMA Cooperative Society, Mr Oluwole Folorunso, expressed gratitude to the MD/CEO for the Management's unwavering support. He noted that the Cooperative has greatly benefited from this relationship and hopes it will continue to grow even stronger.

PHOTO SPEAK: MD/CEO's Interactive Session with the Agency's Stakeholders and Service Providers, held yesterday, September 17, 2024, in Abuja.

FERMA PARTNERS FHA ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, INAUGURATES PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM FOR PPP INITIATIVES

The Managing Director/CEO, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, PhD, has welcomed a strategic partnership proposal from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) aimed at improving housing projects by providing accessible and motorable roads. This collaboration is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the importance of both housing and road infrastructure.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director/CEO, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, to the Agency’s Headquarters on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Engr. Agbasi stressed the critical role of road infrastructure in the success of housing schemes. “Housing and road infrastructure are vital components of the Renewed Hope Agenda, and since the roads leading to these projects are Federal roads, FERMA will ensure they are motorable. According to Agbasi, a team will be constituted to assess the scope of works, and we will incorporate it into the 2025 budget appropriation while seeking alternative funding sources,”

He further emphasized the potential for FERMA to leverage the partnership to develop the Agency’s land, expressing optimism for a long-term relationship that will enhance service delivery for all Nigerians.

In response, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, MD/CEO, FHA, explained that the partnership is key to fulfilling President Tinubu’s agenda of providing affordable housing. He appealed to FERMA to prioritize the rehabilitation of roads leading to key FHA estates, especially those in Gwarimpa and Lugbe in Abuja, as well as FESTAC in Lagos. “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.

Hon. Ojo also commended FERMA on some well maintained roads in Ekiti State and Estates in Gwarimpa FCT and Kano States respectively.
In a similar development, Engr. Agbasi inaugurated the FERMA Integrated Project Delivery Team (FIPDT), a strategic initiative designed to address the challenges of funding infrastructure projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

The newly formed team will focus on commercializing FERMA’s idle physical assets, implementing a contract concession strategy, and diversifying income streams to ensure effective asset management.
Engr. Agbasi highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Federal Government’s limited capacity to fully fund infrastructure projects has made 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.”

The ten-member team, coordinated by Mr. Nyihemba Luper Daniel, includes representatives from various disciplines, among which are Mr. Akwu Okolo from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). They will be responsible for driving the success of FERMA’s Maintain-Operate-Transfer (MOT) PPP program, positioning the Agency for long-term sustainability.
Both the partnership with FHA and the inauguration of the FIPDT are expected to significantly enhance FERMA’s capacity to deliver on its mandate, ensuring that Nigerians benefit from well-maintained roads and affordable housing.

FERMA COMMENCES 'OPERATION FREE OUR ROADS' NATIONWIDE

In line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has launched ‘Operation Free Our Roads’ nationwide. Under the leadership of MD/CEO Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi PhD, FERMA has completed 286 projects across the six geopolitical zones since August 2023, creating approximately 22,800 jobs.

The initiative focuses on patching potholes, pavement strengthening, repairs, limited rehabilitation, bridge/culvert construction, and general maintenance to improve road conditions. Engr. Agbasi emphasized the need for public support to make Nigeria great again.

This joint initiative between the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA is part of the government’s efforts to prioritize citizens by fixing roads, especially during the rainy season. All FERMA directors and engineers are fully involved.

These efforts reflect FERMA's commitment to improving the nation’s infrastructure, fostering economic growth, and ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians.

FERMA ACCELERATES ROAD MAINTENANCE INITIATIVES IN LINE WITH PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RENEWED HOPE AGENDA

In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and FERMA’s commitment to keeping the public informed about our agency’s activities, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has implemented various strategic initiatives for the effective monitoring and maintenance of federal roads nationwide. These initiatives are part of the Agency’s efforts to support the President's vision of a more connected and prosperous Nigeria.

Under the leadership of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi PhD, FERMA has completed 286 capital, recurrent, and direct labour projects across the six geopolitical zones between August 2023 to date, and approximately 22,800 direct and indirect jobs were created, which has improved the quality of lives of the benefiting youths along the abutting road corridors and communities where the Agency worked.

These projects fall within the scope of FERMA’s mandate and aim to enhance the economic well-being of Nigerians, promote their interests locally and internationally, and ensure safer driving experiences for all Nigerians.

"Our primary goal is to maintain and improve the quality of federal roads across Nigeria, thereby contributing to national development and economic growth. We are dedicated to supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by delivering on our mandate effectively and transparently," stated Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, MD/CEO of FERMA.

The scope of work includes; patching of potholes to ensure smoother and safer driving experiences; pavement strengthening to extend their lifespan and improve their load-bearing capacity; repairs of failed sections of roads that have deteriorated to restore their functionality; limited rehabilitation works to improve road conditions; bridge and culvert construction to enhance connectivity and prevent flooding; and general and regular maintenance to keep roads in optimal condition.

These projects reflect the Agency’s commitment to supporting the President's agenda by improving the nation’s infrastructure, thereby fostering economic growth and development.
We urge all Nigerians to be patient and support the present administration’s efforts in road sector development.
FERMA remains dedicated to transparency and accountability in all our operations, and we will continue to update the public on our progress, aspirations and challenges.

FERMA UNVEILS AMBITIOUS ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has unveiled its comprehensive road infrastructure plans and priorities in line with the President's Renewed Hope Agenda, in a landmark reform seminar organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), attended by key stakeholders and government officials recently at the Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters, Abuja.