By Mercy Adi
The Senate has called for a significant increase in the budget allocation for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), from ₦24 billion to ₦64 billion. This demand was made by the chairman senate committee on FERMA, during a recent budget defense session, with the committee on appropriation where the chairman of the committee emphasized the need for adequate funding to support FERMA’s critical operations.
“We cannot continue to tie an institution that is supposed to be a going concern to a meager budget allocation,” said the chairman. “FERMA needs sufficient funding to effectively respond to disasters and emergencies across the country.”
The lawmaker explained that the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has proposed a total of N64,888,000 000.00 (Sixty-Four Billion, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million Naira) only, for the 2025 budget appropriation, comprising N4.9 billion for Personnel Costs, N33.468 billion for overhead costs, and N26.487 billion for capital costs.
According to him the budget prioritizes major trunk ‘A’ roads within the Six Geopolitical Zones, aligning with Mr. President’s development and economic recovery objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The amount is lesser than the N77 billion Naira proposed for the year 2024.
“It’s worth noting that the current allocation of ₦24 billion may not be sufficient to cover the costs of disaster response and recovery. A more substantial budget would allow FERMA to invest in vital infrastructure, technology, and personnel, ensuring that the agency is well-equipped to handle emergency situation, citing the alarming state of the country’s road assets, valued at over ₦100 trillion.
“The demand for an increased budget allocation is timely, considering the rising frequency and severity of natural disasters globally. By providing FERMA with the necessary resources, the government can help mitigate the impact of disasters and ensure a more rapid recovery. He added
Members of the committee also suggested that the government should explore alternative funding arrangements, such as tolling systems, to support the maintenance of federal roads and bridges. “We need to think out of the box to design a funded arrangement that will maintain our goals,” said a committee member.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a member of the appropriation committee, stressed the importance of revisiting the tolling system, which was abolished in the past. “We need to revisit and restate those tokens and structure the fee in such a way that the money realized must be saved to be brought back into the maintenance of the roads,” he said.
However, some committee members expressed concerns that Nigerians may be unwilling to pay tolls, especially given the existing fuel prices. Nevertheless, the closed tolling system has been deemed effective, particularly in cross-border areas, as it provides evidence of payment and requires effective supervision.
Addressing the misconceptions about toll gates, senator Hussain said that, while some believe Nigerians are unwilling to pay for road usage due to fuel price concerns, he believes otherwise.
“It may be true that some Nigerians hesitate to pay tolls, but I strongly believe they will be willing to pay for well-maintained and safe roads. The real danger today is not just bad roads—it’s the security risks they pose. Many highway crimes happen when vehicles slow down for potholes or road obstacles, creating opportunities for criminals to strike.”
Another committee member, Senator lalong emphasized the need for clear demarcation of functions between FERMA and the Ministry of Works. “We need to define the roles and responsibilities of each agency to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure effective utilization of resources,” he said.
Responding, Senator Hussaini highlighted the clear distinction between FERMA and the Federal Ministry of Works, emphasizing their different roles.
“The Ministry of Works focuses on construction and rehabilitation, while FERMA is responsible for continuous road maintenance clearing drainages, patching potholes, and keeping roads in good condition. The Senate’s rulebook and the Constitution clearly outline their respective functions, yet we have chosen not to enforce them.”
The representative of Jigawa North-West senatorial district, further drew the attention of the committee members to the structural durability of bridges across the country, citing a rising risk of collapse due to poor maintenance and excessive static loads.
“Bridges are designed to carry moving loads, not dead weight. When barriers break, debris accumulates, putting immense strain on the structure. This is why we are seeing more bridges fail. We barely managed to salvage the Tambora Bridge in Cairo in 2021, and if urgent action is not taken, more collapses are imminent.”
The demand for increased funding for FEMA comes amid concerns over the agency’s ability to respond to disasters and emergencies, particularly during the rainy season. With the current budget allocation, FERMA’s ability to maintain federal roads and bridges is severely limited, leading to increased risk of accidents and security breaches.
As the committee continues to deliberate on the budget, it remains to be seen whether the government will heed the call for increased funding for FERMA.