Yesterday, I had the privilege of holding the first interface meeting between the Managing Director of the Federal Roads

Yesterday, I had the privilege of holding the first interface meeting between the Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the House Committee on FERMA as Deputy Chair. It was a crucial meeting that brought together key stakeholders in the sector to discuss the state of our nation's roads and explore strategies for improvement.

The meeting commenced with an introduction of the members of the House Committee and the Management of the agency FERMA. It was evident from the start that both parties shared a common goal to ensure the provision and maintenance of quality roads that enhance the socio-economic development of our nation.

The Managing Director of FERMA presented a comprehensive report on the current state of federal roads across the country. The report highlighted the challenges faced by FERMA in maintaining and rehabilitating the roads, including insufficient funding, inadequate manpower, and bureaucratic bottlenecks. It also emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in road infrastructure to enhance connectivity and facilitate economic growth.

The House Committee members actively engaged in discussions, asking pertinent questions and seeking clarifications on specific issues. We expressed our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by FERMA and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the agency and the legislative arm of government to achieve meaningful results.

During the meeting, various suggestions and recommendations were put forward to improve the maintenance and rehabilitation of federal roads. These included exploring alternative funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, leveraging technology for efficient road management, and strengthening the legal framework governing road maintenance in Nigeria.

Overall, the first interface meeting between the Managing Director of FERMA and the House Committee was a productive and constructive engagement. It demonstrated a shared commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our road infrastructure and working towards sustainable solutions. I am confident that with continued collaboration and proactive measures, we can achieve significant improvements in our nation's road network, thereby promoting economic growth and enhancing the well-being of our citizens.