NASS reiterates commitment to tackle deplorable roads

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The Chairman House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Aderemi Oseni on Tuesday lamented the multitude of challenges being experienced by Nigeria’s road network and promised that the 10th National Assembly would promptly tackle them headlong and ensure the rebirth of a new Agency that works.

He disclosed this while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja.

According to him, prominent among the challenges according to are “insufficient funding, inadequate maintenance strategies, lack of modern infrastructure and bureaucracy bottlenecks, leading to deteriorating road conditions, increased road accidents the challenges according to and significant economic losses, thus heightening the need for intervention.”

The committee chairman, an engineer by profession, on the occasion, said that he personally drafted a 14-point legislative agenda to serve as a roadmap and guide for the committee to better the nation’s road maintenance culture.

He urged the committee members to cooperate in forging a partnership working relationship with FERMA so that
Nigerians will be better off for it.

According to him, “as we embark on this journey to revitalize FERMA and address the challenges plaguing road maintenance in Nigeria, it is important to first acknowledge the significance of our roles. FERMA plays a critical role in ensuring that federal road networks are safe, efficient, and reliable. However, we must also recognize the numerous problems that have hindered FERMA’s effectiveness in the past.

“Nigeria’s road networks have experienced a multitude of challenges, including insufficient funding, inadequate maintenance strategies, a lack of modern infrastructure, and bureaucratic bottlenecks. These issues have led to deteriorating road conditions, increased accidents, and significant economic losses. Our task, as members of this committee, is to tackle these challenges head-on and rebirth a new FERMA that works.

“Today, we stand at a crossroads as we inaugurate this committee. We have been presented with an opportunity to rebirth a new FERMA that works for the people. Our responsibility goes beyond merely identifying and discussing the problems; it is now our duty to propose and implement lasting solutions.

“To this end, I have personally drafted a document outlining our 14-point legislative agenda. This document will serve as a roadmap for repositioning, rebirthing, and reengineering. These agendas will serve as our roadmap for the future. Each member will receive a copy after this inauguration, and | encourage you all to study it and provide your valuable input to shape the final legislative agenda. Please note, Honourable Members, that your contributions will be instrumental in shaping the final legislative agenda, which we will collectively work towards implementing.

“As part of the legislative 14-point agenda for the years 2023-2027, one of the key initiatives to revitalise the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is the adoption of a new approach to performing oversight functions. This approach aims to shift the ad hoc committee of the National Assembly fr. Serving as a mere supervisory arm to become a partner in progress with FERMA management.

“Together, we will work towards achieving improved road maintenance and efficiency in Nigeria. We would use the instrument of effective legislation, oversight, partnership, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and adherence to the best global practices to revitalize, reposition, reengineer, and rebirth FERMA, ushering In a new era of improved road maintenance and efficiency for Nigerians.

“This new approach recognizes the need for a knowledgeable, professional, upright, and diligent legislative committee that will prioritize the best interests of Nigerians. By engaging as partners rather than adversaries, the committee and FERMA will be able to foster a Collaborative environment focused on achieving common goals.

“Distinguished colleagues, let us remember that our task is not to solve all the problems at once. However, we must leave FERMA better than we found it. We must commit ourselves to gradual and sustainable progress. We must be resilient in the face of setbacks and persistent in our pursuit of excellence.

“In this endeavour, there are words of wisdom that guide us. Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’. Let us remember that we are not here for personal gain or glory, but to serve the Nigerian people and improve their lives. We must also draw inspiration from the legal frameworks that govern our work. The FERMA Acts, other related regulatory frameworks and legislation, and the Nigerian constitution empower us to make a significant impact through our oversight functions. We must ensure that our actions are guided by these laws and that our decisions are transparent and just.”

In their contributions at the meeting, members of the newly inaugurated House Committee on FERMA expressed total support for the chairman’s envisioned ‘FERMA’ that works and pledged their support in realizing the lofty idea.

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