FERMA completes 88 roads captured in 2017 budget

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on Thursday said over 88 capital road projects captured in the 2017 budget nationwide had been completed.

Maryam Sanusi, spokesperson of FERMA, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Mrs Sanusi said another 66 road projects that were also captured in 2017 budget were currently at 50 per cent completion.

She listed some of the completed road projects to include rehabilitation of Biu-WanDali road, in Borno, Garkida-Gombi highway, Adamawa and general maintenance and repairs of Bauchi- Ningi, in Bauchi State.

The rehabilitation of Awe-Iwo federal road in Oyo State, Benin-Abraka road in Edo; construction of feeder road from Iyah-Obelle in Kogi, rehabilitation of Ribah-Diri-Rijau road in Kebbi State, among others.

Mrs Sanusi, however, said that the agency was making efforts to ensure that all the roads mapped out for maintenance were completed as and when due.

“The assurance is that as long as adequate funds are available, the agency will ensure that all roads mapped out for maintenance are completed.’’

She said that all Federal Trunk `A’ roads, were the agency’s main focus, adding that it carried about 90 per cent of total volume of transportation of goods and services.

According to her, these roads are major contributors to the socio-economic and political development of our country.

“Aside budgetary allocation, the additional sources of funding as captured in the agency’s Act are yet to be explored. The agency rely on budgetary allocation for its roads maintenance activities.’’

Mrs Sanusi called on Nigerians to use the roads responsibly and patiently with consideration to other road users, adding that if there where damage along the roads everyone suffers.

“I will want Nigerians to know that the road is an asset. We use to access our communities and work places. I want Nigerians to know that using the roads responsibly allows free movement of traffic.

“Nigerians should be patient with FERMA because we know the importance of roads. We are on a tremendous transformation drive as far as road maintenance is concern,’’ she added.