FERMA seeks N100billion intervention fund for road repairs 

By Adekunle Adesuji

Federal Road Maintenance Agency ( FERMA) , has requested for N100billion intervention fund from the federal government for urgent repairs of road damaged by flood across the country.

Managing Director of FERMA,  Engr Nurudeen Abdulrahman Rafindadi  made the request for N100 billion intervention to repair roads   at the National Assembly during 2023 budget defence session he had with the Senate Committee on FERMA.

Rafindadi who made the request in response to question asked by Chairman of the Committee , Senator Gershom Bassey on steps being taken by FERMA to re – fix the washed away roads , said  evaluation carried out by the agency ,  shows that N100billion is urgently needed as intervention fund for road repairs  in the affected areas .

” FERMA has more significant role to play in getting things right in the flooded areas in  terms of creating access for emergency services or relief materials .

” Without re – fixing the damaged roads across the flooded areas , no relief material or emergency services can be given to victims .

” Evaluation of damages done on the affected roads across the states , have been carried out , requiring N100billion for re – fixing “, he said .

Earlier in his submission before the committee on the 2023 budget , the FERMA boss said N31.6billion envelope was given the agency as capital votes for 2023 fiscal year .

The N31.6billion he lamented , was not even half of the N70billion appropriated for similar purpose in the 2022 fiscal year .