The Minister of State for Works, Mohammad Goronyo, has expressed concern over the insufficient budget allocation to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), despite the agency’s crucial role in maintaining the country’s extensive road network.
In his budget defense presentation before the joint session of the Senate and House Committees on FERMA, Goronyo emphasized that the agency needs over N700 billion annually to adequately maintain federal roads across Nigeria.
He noted that the current allocation of N64.88 billion for the 2025 fiscal year is significantly lower than the amount required, particularly considering the agency’s vast responsibilities.
The proposed budget for 2025 includes N4.9 billion for personnel costs, N33.468 billion for overhead costs, and N26.487 billion for capital expenditure. This is a reduction from the N77 billion proposed for 2024.
Goronyo called for increased funding to enable FERMA to effectively maintain key roads in all six geopolitical zones, which align with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda for economic recovery.
Goronyo also highlighted the challenges in 2024, noting that while N96.7 billion was initially allocated to FERMA, it was later increased to N103.3 billion by President Bola Tinubu.
However, only N41.282 billion was released, with N40.287 billion utilized to date.
He stressed the need for a more substantial and sustainable approach to road maintenance, advocating for more financial support to enhance preventive maintenance and ensure the durability of the country’s road infrastructure.
In his remarks, Senator Hussaini Babangida, Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, criticized the emphasis on new road construction at the expense of maintaining existing infrastructure.
He called for a comprehensive review of funding priorities, urging all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the underfunding of road maintenance in Nigeria.
Goronyo also thanked the committees for their continued support in addressing these challenges, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing road infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth and development.