The Minister of State for Works, and the Minister Superintending the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo has decried the poor budgetary allocation for road maintenance.
A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the FERMA’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Maryam M. Sanusi quoted Goronyo to have spoken when he visited the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said Nigerians deserve the best experience in pleasurable ride and security from all forms of danger when using the road.
The Minister, however, disclosed that the poor budgetary allocation for road maintenance in the country was a factor militating against the realization of this dream.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given priority to infrastructure, especially road infrastructure, but poor budgetary provision occasioned by competing needs from all sectors and the state of the economy has made things difficult.
The Minister, who was in the company of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso visited FERMA’s proposed Corporate Headquarters of the Agency on the Abuja Airport Road.
He said he is comfortable with the performance of the Agency and is ready to give all necessary support to ensure the presidential mandate is achieved in the road sector.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso stressed that the inadequate and untimely release of the funds is a setback for the road sector.
He noted that FERMA staff are highly committed to duties and the Agency possesses some of the best staff in the Civil Service.
In his response, the Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Emeka Agbasi, FNSE, appreciated the minister for his support and commitment to seeing that the Federal roads network is motorable all year round.
