Over 35,000 kilometers of the Federal Government road network throughout Nigeria could not be financed solely by Annual Budgets, according to Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq., Minister of State for Works. As a result, alternative funding sources outside of the government’s coffers were required.

This was said by Goronyo on Monday, February 17, 2025, during a first visit with the MD/CEO, Engr Chukwumeka Agbasi, to the Management and Staff of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Kogi State Field Office at Lokoja.

He reiterated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to repairing all roads in order to guarantee a significant decline in the rate of crime, unemployment, and insecurity. He said, “I want to thank President Tinubu, GCFR, for his perseverance. Never in my life have I witnessed a president so dedicated to maintaining tangible assets across the country. Numerous road projects located throughout the nation are given priority by the administration. This demonstrates his Nigerian patriotism. He is working on these projects in an effort to boost our economy and lower the unemployment, poverty, and crime rates. We can see the Super Highways that run from Lagos to Calabar and from Ilelah to Sokoto to Badagry.

Goronyo praised the FERMA staff for their perseverance and diligence over the years, pointing out that Nigerians have been praising them for their outstanding work in spite of insecurity and a lack of funding. He said that their requests for a consequential salary adjustment and increase have been sent to the Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission for review and approval, and he asked them to be patient with the Ministry of Works regarding their entitlements.

Goronyo emphasized that “roughly 35,000 kilometers of roads cannot be funded and maintained overnight” when discussing funding for road maintenance. In order to continue maintaining our physical assets, which are the roads, we must find other sources of funding. We must develop new alternatives and new funding sources. He gave his word that the government is committed to making sure that projects are finished on schedule, effectively, and with strict oversight and contractor compliance. Additionally, he said, “I am urging everyone to stand with us in order to make sure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fulfills his mandate to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda’s eight points. Nigeria must take precedence over our own interests. We need to have a positive mindset and fix our roads.

Engineer Chukwumeka Agbasi, FERMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), earlier praised the Ministry of Works for its commitment to ensuring that President Tinubu’s eight points of agenda are realized, particularly road projects throughout the nation. He urged the staff to keep supporting and working with the Ministry to meet their goals, and he told them that they would receive pay increases before the year ended.

The Kogi Field Office’s officer in charge, Engineer Muktar Abdurahim, told the Minister during his remarks that the office employs thirty-seven (37) people, including twelve (12) casual employees and twenty-five (25) permanent employees. He revealed that there are sixteen (16) Federal Government roads in Kogi State, totaling 1,263 kilometers. He emphasized that none of the state’s roads were impacted by the nationwide flood incident that occurred in 2024.

According to Engr. Abdulrahim, five (5) of the six (6) roads that are currently being built in the state have been completed successfully, and one (1) is 60% complete. He told the Minister that among other issues, they are dealing with hyperinflation in the price of building materials and insecurity.

In addition, Engr. Omotayo Awodun, Director of North Central Zone I, praised the Federal Government’s dedication to repairing all Federal roads in Nigeria, particularly those within his zone. He also praised the Honourable Minister of Works’ innovative leadership style, which enforces new methods and tighter oversight, as we are seeing today.