Senate Demands Higher FERMA Funding, Orders Emergency Repairs on Federal Roads

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to significantly increase funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), insisting that the rehabilitation of deteriorating federal highways should take precedence over the construction of new roads.

The resolution followed Thursday's adoption of the report of the Senate Joint Committee on FERMA and National Security on the condition of the 28-kilometre Oyagede–Ogobia Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

Lawmakers approved emergency intervention on the road and urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate at least two critical federal roads in each of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Presenting the committee's report, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Shuaib Salisu Abdullahi, said an on-the-spot assessment revealed that only about two kilometres of the road remained motorable.

He explained that extensive structural failure, severe erosion and inadequate drainage infrastructure had rendered most sections impassable, disrupting transportation, commercial activities, access to healthcare and education, while also undermining security operations in the area.

The committee recommended immediate emergency rehabilitation of the road pending full reconstruction at an estimated cost of N15.06 billion. It also proposed the construction of improved drainage systems, erosion control measures and strengthened security along the corridor.

Following the presentation, the Senate adopted all the committee's recommendations through a voice vote.

Lawmakers further resolved that FERMA should receive increased budgetary allocations to enable the agency respond more effectively to the growing number of failed federal roads across the country.

The Senate also approved periodic legislative oversight of road maintenance projects to improve accountability and ensure timely execution of rehabilitation works.

The debate, however, extended beyond the Benue road as senators from different parts of the country highlighted the poor condition of federal highways in their constituencies and called for accelerated government intervention.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) criticised what he described as the increasing emphasis on constructing new highways while many existing strategic roads had deteriorated beyond acceptable standards.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Works should prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of critical transport corridors that serve as economic lifelines for the country.

"The Federal Ministry of Works must be properly guided. While many existing federal roads have deteriorated beyond acceptable standards, attention is being shifted to constructing new roads," Oshiomhole said.

"Rehabilitation and maintenance of critical highways should take priority because they remain the major economic lifelines connecting different parts of the country.

"The Benin-Asaba, Benin-Warri and Auchi-Abuja roads are strategic national corridors that require urgent intervention.

"We must provide adequate funding for FERMA to maintain these roads, improve security and facilitate the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce across the federation."

Senators representing Kogi, Lagos and Bayelsa states also called for urgent intervention on failed federal roads within their respective states, arguing that poor road infrastructure continues to affect economic activities and public safety.

Minority Leader Abba Moro, however, urged lawmakers to remain focused on the committee's report, advising colleagues to sponsor separate motions on roads affecting their constituencies rather than broadening the debate.

Following the adoption of the report, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that copies of the resolutions be transmitted to the relevant ministries, FERMA and the National Assembly appropriation committees for implementation and budgetary consideration.

Despite expressing concern over the condition of many federal highways, the Senate commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing flagship infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway, describing them as transformative projects capable of improving national connectivity and economic integration.

Earlier during plenary, the Senate observed a minute's silence in honour of two farmers killed in Plateau State after Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) raised the matter under a personal explanation.

Plang told lawmakers that the victims were attacked in Pankshin Local Government Area while attempting to protect their farmlands from destruction by grazing cattle.

He described the killings as barbaric and commended the Plateau State Police Command for arresting a suspect and impounding the cattle involved. He also praised community leaders for preventing retaliatory attacks following the incident.

The Senate subsequently urged the Nigeria Police Force and relevant judicial authorities to ensure diligent investigation and prosecution of everyone connected to the killings.