FERMA Unveils Ambitious Road Infrastructure Plans
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.
The seminar, led by the Director General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, served as a platform to discuss the strategic goals and strategies of FERMA, in light of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria.
In his keynote address, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, FNSE, FNIHTE, the Managing Director and CEO of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, outlined the challenges facing the agency in maintaining transportation and road infrastructure across the country. He emphasized the importance of aligning FERMA’s efforts with the Renewed Hope Policy on Transportation and highlighted the implications for the agency.
Some of the key highlights, Dr. Agbasi said include; road plans and priorities, such as major rehabilitation of strategically selected routes across all six zones of the country; maintenance of optimal levels of repair and maintenance along the entire Federal Highway Network; institutional strengthening initiatives within FERMA; exploration of alternative funding sources to address current funding inadequacies.
Others are targeting special intervention funds to support road infrastructure projects; emphasis on process improvements using technology and innovation, and strategic partnership and collaboration to leverage resources and expertise.
Dr. Agbasi reiterated FERMA’s commitment to delivering its statutory mandates and driving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through various highlighted programs. He outlined the agency’s road network strategies, focused on sustained road surveillance, accelerated repairs, and recovery of failed and collapsed roads, as well as emergency interventions and preventive maintenance measures.
To overcome prevailing challenges, FERMA’s short to medium-term priorities include strategic regeneration to enhance overall capacity and capabilities in road access maintenance and management, improving operational funding, and developing collaboration relationships with international road agencies.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Arabi welcomed attendees, emphasizing the significant role of FERMA in Nigeria’s road infrastructure. He underscored the importance of efficiency and accountability in public services, aligning with the objectives of BPSR. The seminar served as a platform for robust discussions on the future of road infrastructure in Nigeria, with FERMA leading the charge towards a proactive era of road maintenance and management.