The Honorable member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo state in the House of Representatives has said that increasing the budgetary allocation of Federal Road
Maintenance Agency (FERMA) will ensure Effective Road Maintenance and Repairs of Federal Roads Across the Country.
He made this claim on the floor of the green chamber while presenting the motion titled: Need to Increase the Budgetary Allocation of Federal Road
Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for Effective Road Maintenance and Repairs of Federal Roads Across
the Country.
Hon.Aderemi noted that the Federal Government is committed to enhancing economic activities and productivity by ensuring the effective maintenance and repair of federal roads throughout the year.
“Sadly amongst the 360 Honourable members representing the 360 federal constituencies across the country, none can boast of good and well maintained roads in his/her constituency across the states of the federation.
“Majority of the federal roads are in disrepair, dilapidated, and unpassable, causing economic loss to governments and citizens due to continuous neglect.
“Traveling by road has become a nightmare, causing hardship for commuters, loss of man hours, and inhibiting free movement of goods and services, the roads also provide safe havens for criminal activities, leading to increased air travel costs and high-cost domestic flights.
“The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is the agency with the mandate to maintain and rehabilitate all Federal roads across the country, and has been doing its best with the paltry budgetary allocation it receives annually which cannot make any significant impact due to the large number roads across the country in need of urgent repairs and rehabilitation
“Inadequate funding of FERMA translates to outright neglect in the maintenance of the roads, as an average of 300 billion, Naira to 500 billion, Naira is required annually to maintain the federal roads. Sadly, the annual budget of FERMA is a meager sum of about 25 billion, Naira to 50 billion, Naira within the last two years, which is about 10% of the required amount.
“ The Federal Ministry of Works in the 2024 budget have about 1trillion, Naira, thus the need to allocate 20% (percent) of the Ministry of Works budget to FERMA in the 2025 budget estimates, to enable FERMA fulfill the purpose of its establishment, construction of new roads is as well as maintenance of existing roads, allowing existing roads to deteriorate due to lack of funding is as a reverse gear.
Speaking further, Hon Oseni noted that the need to increase the budgetary allocation of FERMA in 2025 budget estimates to enable it discharge its responsibility effectively and engender economic growth in the country should be taken seriously.
While adopting the motion, the House mandated the Committees on Appropriations and Finance to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Budget Office of the Federation, Ministry of Finance to allocate 20% of the Ministry of Works budget for the 2025 budget estimate to enable it carry out its functions effectively.
The House also mandated the Committees on Finance, Appropriations and Legislative compliance to ensure compliance.
