The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to allocate 20 percent of its 2025 budget to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in a move aimed at bolstering the agency’s operations for the maintenance and repair of federal roads across Nigeria. This decision came after a motion raised by lawmaker Aderemi Oseni during a plenary session focused on the urgent need for increased budgetary support for FERMA, which is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the country’s road infrastructure. Oseni’s call to action reflects broader concerns about the state of disrepair that plagues many federal roads, causing significant economic repercussions for both the government and the public.
In his argument, Oseni underlined the critical role that well-maintained roads play in stimulating economic activities and enhancing productivity. He noted that without effective maintenance, roads deteriorate, subsequently impeding transportation and logistical efforts across various sectors. The dire situation many roads face has led to a growing sentiment among legislators and constituents alike about the necessity of prioritizing road repairs and maintenance within the federal budget. The lawmaker’s emphasis on the economic implications of road conditions indicates a wider recognition of how infrastructure investment can foster growth and development in the country.
Oseni expressed frustration regarding the insufficient budgetary allocations FERMA has received, emphasizing that the agency has been operating under severe financial constraints. According to his analysis, the current funding levels fall drastically short of the estimated annual requirement of between 300 billion to 500 billion Naira needed for adequately maintaining federal roads. He pointed out that FERMA’s budget has oscillated between 25 billion to 50 billion Naira over the past two years, representing only about 10 percent of the necessary amount, which severely limits the agency’s ability to carry out its mandate effectively.
Furthermore, Oseni highlighted that the Federal Ministry of Works had allocated about 1 trillion Naira in the 2024 budget, signifying a substantial resource pool that could benefit road maintenance initiatives. This observation reinforces the argument for a strategic reallocation, advocating for the earmarking of 20 percent of the Ministry’s budget toward FERMA in the 2025 budget estimates. By proposing this allocation, Oseni envisions empowering FERMA to better address the existing deficiencies in road maintenance, thereby enhancing overall infrastructure quality.
The discussion surrounding the motion has underscored the urgent need for the government to revisit and augment its funding strategies for infrastructure maintenance. Without sufficient financial resources, governmental agencies like FERMA are unable to fulfill their core functions, leading to a cycle of neglect that detrimentally affects the nation’s transportation systems. Such negligence can ultimately inhibit economic progress and exacerbate existing challenges related to trade and mobility across different regions of Nigeria.
Following the adoption of the motion, it has been referred to the Committee on Works for further legislative review, signaling the beginning of potential changes in how the federal budget is structured in relation to infrastructure maintenance. The committee’s actions may impact future budget allocations and reflect a newfound priority on road maintenance. This resolution, if implemented effectively, could provide a much-needed boost to FERMA’s operations, fostering not only better-maintained roads but also improved economic conditions for the country as a whole.
