Senate Calls For Increased FERMA Funding, Urgent Rehabilitation Of Critical Federal Roads

ABUJA — The Senate has urged the Federal Government to provide increased funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to accelerate the rehabilitation of critical federal roads across the country, describing improved road maintenance as essential for economic growth, security and public safety.

The resolution followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committees on FERMA and National Security and Intelligence on the condition of the Onyagede–Ogobia Road, located off the Otukpo–Oweto Highway in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

Presenting the report during plenary, Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Ya’u Sahabi Alhaji, said an inspection revealed that only two kilometres of the 28-kilometre road remain motorable, with severe structural failures, erosion and poor drainage rendering most sections impassable.

According to the Senate, the deteriorating condition of the road has disrupted transportation, economic activities, healthcare delivery, education and security operations in surrounding communities.

Lawmakers described the road as a strategic federal infrastructure and a national security concern, calling on the Federal Government to empower FERMA to immediately carry out emergency rehabilitation pending a full reconstruction project estimated at N15.06 billion, inclusive of VAT.

The Senate also recommended the incorporation of adequate drainage and erosion-control measures into the rehabilitation works to prevent flooding, reduce erosion and extend the lifespan of the road.

In addition, lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to include the project under its Infrastructure Intervention Programmes, in line with an earlier Senate resolution.

To enhance security along the corridor, the Senate called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military to increase patrols and surveillance in the affected communities until the road is fully rehabilitated.

The upper chamber further recommended the rehabilitation of two critically failed federal roads in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while advocating improved funding for legislative oversight to ensure effective implementation of road projects.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing highways before embarking on new road construction projects.

He identified major highways, including the Benin–Asaba, Benin–Warri and Auchi–Abuja roads, as critical national routes requiring urgent attention, stressing that adequate funding for FERMA would improve road maintenance, strengthen security and facilitate the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce.

Several senators also called for similar interventions on deteriorating federal roads in their respective states.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that copies of the committee’s report be forwarded to relevant ministries, FERMA and the appropriation committees for implementation and budgetary consideration.

Earlier during plenary, the Senate also called for the prosecution of those responsible for the killing of two farmers in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Raising the matter under a personal explanation, Senator Diket Plang said the victims were attacked while protecting their farmlands from grazing cattle, describing the incident as coordinated and barbaric.

The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased and commended the Plateau State Police Command for arresting a suspect and impounding cattle linked to the incident. Lawmakers urged the police and judicial authorities to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law.