Goronyo Announces Steering Committee to Tackle FERMA’s Funding Challenges

The Minister of State for Works and Minister Superintending the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Bello Muhammad Goronyo

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In a strategic move to address the persistent funding challenges faced by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has unveiled plans to establish a steering committee tasked with exploring alternative funding sources. This initiative aims to bolster FERMA’s capacity to effectively monitor and maintain federal roads across Nigeria, ensuring the agency can fulfill its critical mandate.

The announcement was made during a one-day retreat for FERMA’s Board and Management, held recently in Abuja. The retreat, themed “Delivering FERMA’s Mandate Aligned to the Renewed Hope Agenda,”* focused on strategies to enhance the agency’s performance in road maintenance and infrastructure development. A statement issued by FERMA’s spokesperson, Mrs. Maryam M. Sanusi, highlighted the Minister’s remarks during the event.

Minister Goronyo emphasized that no nation relies solely on annual budget allocations to maintain its road infrastructure. He stressed the importance of diversifying funding streams to ensure sustainable road maintenance. “Once constituted, the steering committee will immediately begin exploring intervention measures to secure additional funding for FERMA,” he said. Goronyo further underscored the pivotal role of well-maintained roads in driving healthcare delivery, education, security, employment, economic growth, and national development.

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The Minister commended the Managing Director/CEO of FERMA, Engr. Emeka Agbasi, FNSE, for his unwavering commitment to the agency’s mandate, describing him as a “silent achiever” who has made significant strides despite limited resources. He also praised the Board Members for their dedication and urged them to continue supporting the management team to achieve the agency’s goals.

Reaffirming the Federal Ministry of Works’ commitment to collaboration, Goronyo pledged sustained engagement with FERMA and other stakeholders to enhance the agency’s operations. “We will continue to work closely with FERMA and relevant partners to ensure synergy and drive further improvements in road maintenance across the country,” he said.

Earlier in the retreat, Engr. Emeka Agbasi, FERMA’s Managing Director/CEO, highlighted the importance of the event in addressing the agency’s challenges and aligning its operations with global best practices. He noted that the retreat provided a platform to develop practical solutions, set measurable goals, and strengthen communication between the management and the board. Agbasi also expressed gratitude to Minister Goronyo and the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso, for their support in facilitating the retreat and fostering discussions aimed at improving FERMA’s performance.

The establishment of the steering committee is expected to unlock innovative funding solutions, enabling FERMA to enhance road maintenance nationwide. This initiative aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure development as a cornerstone for economic growth and social progress.

With this new approach, FERMA is poised to overcome its funding constraints and deliver on its mandate, ensuring Nigeria’s federal roads are safe, functional, and capable of supporting the nation’s development aspirations.