OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE: FERMA BAGS AWARD FROM BPSR
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE: FERMA BAGS AWARD FROM BPSR
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has bagged a prestigious award from the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) for its remarkable performance in the recent Self-Assessment II conducted on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The award was presented today by the Director General, BPSR, Dr. D. I. Arabi, FICD, in line with the Strategy for Public Service Reform which is aimed at utilizing self-assessment tools to check performance and enhance accountability within MDAs.
Dr. Arabi emphasized the thoroughness of the assessment, stating, “The report is a deep analysis of the activity of FERMA that anybody who has an interest can easily assess it, we have asked Ninety-Nine (99) questions about International Best Practices, Performance Management, Strategic Planning, Human Resources, Development Management, and procurement processes.”
Highlighting FERMA’s satisfactory overall performance, Dr. Arabi encouraged the Agency to capitalize on strengths and address weaknesses identified in the BPSR Self-Assessment II survey.
While commending FERMA for her excellence in procurement processes, the DG expressed BPSR’s readiness to collaborate with FERMA to fulfil its mandate effectively.
The Managing Director/CEO, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, Ph.D. DIC; FNSE; FNIHTE, in his response, expressed the Agency’s commitment to leveraging the assessment report to amplify strengths and address weaknesses. Agbasi outlined strategic steps taken by FERMA to diversify funding sources, enhance operational efficiency, and maximize the road network in Nigeria.
Agbasi acknowledged that the current road funding is ineffective. He, however, outlined the proactive steps the Agency has taken to explore alternative funding sources, including partnerships with local and international bodies, state-owned enterprises, and initiatives to maximise plant and machinery to generate funds. Additionally, efforts are underway to generate Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), International Vehicle Transit Charge (IVTC), securing grants, and implementing Public-Private Partnerships with concessionaires.
He emphasised FERMA’s international collaborations, citing existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with South Africa Road Agency to benchmark and improve road quality while learning from Namibia’s exemplary road network.
In line with its vision to become a 21st century Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA aims to identify necessary skill sets and enhance training capacity to ensure operational excellence and stakeholder satisfaction. He disclosed that the Agency regularly carries out stakeholder engagements to gather feedback and ensure road user satisfaction.
Dr. Abgasi disclosed that FERMA has an ongoing strategic plan aligned with the Agency’s mandate. He reiterated FERMA’s close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works to achieve shared goals. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing policy and programmes aimed at repositioning FERMA as a benchmark 21st Century Agency.