N700bn Needed Annually For Federal Road Maintenance – FG

N700bn Needed Annually For Federal Road Maintenance – FG

The Minister of State for Works, Mohammad Goronyo, has raised concerns about the inadequacy of budgetary allocations for maintaining federal roads, emphasizing the significant funding gap faced by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA)…READ MORE…

Speaking at the budget defense session before the Senate and House Committees on FERMA, Goronyo revealed that over ₦700 billion is required annually to effectively maintain the nation’s extensive federal road network.

A statement from FERMA’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Maryam Sanusi, disclosed that the agency presented a ₦64.88 billion budget proposal for 2025, including allocations for personnel, overhead, and capital costs. This figure is lower than the ₦77 billion proposed in 2024.

The minister highlighted that despite the ₦103.3 billion allocated to FERMA in the 2024 Appropriation Act, only ₦41.282 billion was released, of which ₦40.287 billion has been utilized. He expressed frustration over the persistent shortfall, stressing the urgent need for increased funding to ensure road maintenance aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The current funding for FERMA is grossly insufficient for the scale of maintenance required. Over ₦700 billion annually is necessary to keep federal roads in good condition. We urge this committee to advocate for more substantial financial support to sustain road infrastructure and enable smooth transportation of goods and people,” Goronyo stated.

He also emphasized FERMA’s commitment to transparency, data-driven planning, and community involvement in its operations. Efforts to explore alternative funding sources and sustainable maintenance practices are underway.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Hussaini Babangida, criticized the prioritization of constructing new roads over maintaining existing ones, describing it as counterproductive. He called for collaboration with stakeholders to address the chronic underfunding of road maintenance.

“If roads are critical to growth and development, we must find sustainable solutions to this persistent issue of poor funding for maintenance,” Babangida stated.

The discussions underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to secure adequate funding and improve road maintenance to enhance Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure.

For More Information And News Update, Join Ireporteronline WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaV4jB6DuMRgwqnJCF32 For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 09010649814 on Whatsapp