Over 35,000 kilometres of federal roads across Nigeria remain at risk of neglect, with the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, warning that they cannot be adequately funded through annual budgets alone.
Goronyo’s comments, made during a visit to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Kogi State Field Office yesterday.
Speaking candidly before the management and staff of FERMA, the Minister lamented that the sheer scale of the road network exceeding 35,000 kilometres requires urgent, sustainable funding strategies.
“We cannot afford to rely solely on government budgets to maintain these roads.
“It is imperative that we seek alternative sources of funding to continue the essential work of road maintenance and development across the country.” Goronyo stressed.
In his address, Goronyo lauded the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its strong commitment to improving Nigeria’s road infrastructure, a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted the significant progress made, particularly in the development of super highways, including the Ilelah to Sokoto and Badagry to Lagos-Calabar corridors.
According to the Minister, the government’s focus on physical infrastructure is not just about road construction but is part of a broader vision to reduce unemployment, tackle insecurity, and alleviate poverty.
“President Tinubu is truly committed to transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure for the betterment of its people,” he added.
The Minister’s comments were echoed by FERMA’s Managing Director, Engineer Chukwumeka Agbasi, who commended the Ministry for its focus on road projects and the positive steps being taken to address the challenges faced by staff and contractors in the field.
Agbasi assured staff that salary increments would be implemented before the year’s end, urging them to maintain their resilience as they work towards meeting the government’s ambitious targets.
Despite the challenging economic landscape, with hyperinflation and security concerns threatening the progress of roadworks, Goronyo reaffirmed that the government remains committed to ensuring that all ongoing projects are completed on time and within budget.
“We must continue to think positively and work collaboratively to achieve our shared goal of delivering on the 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.
Engineer Muktar Abdurahim, briefed the Minister on the progress made in road construction. Of the six roads under construction in the state, five are near completion, with one at 60% completion.
The state currently hosts 16 federal roads, covering 1,263 kilometres, none of which were impacted by the 2024 flood crisis.
While commending the government’s dedication to infrastructure, Engineer Omotayo Awodun, Director of the North Central Zone I, also applauded the leadership’s commitment to addressing the maintenance of federal roads in his zone. He assured that despite the hurdles of insecurity and material cost escalation, the commitment to road improvements remains strong.
The Minister urged all stakeholders, including FERMA staff, to support the Ministry of Works’ efforts, ensuring that Nigeria’s road network is brought to a state of excellence.
