Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reassured Nigerians of a significant improvement in the nation’s dilapidated federal road networks within the next two years. He emphasized the pivotal role of a well-maintained road network in reducing the current inflation rate and the high cost of goods and services.
Speaking at the inauguration of the board members of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi highlighted the critical importance of road infrastructure to the socio-economic development of the nation. He acknowledged that various sectors driving economic growth heavily depend on the development of road infrastructure.
Umahi stated, “We have a very critical situation with our roads all over the country, and for me, the number one thing Nigerians need is durable roads. Road is everything, and if we fix our roads today, we will bring down inflation in this country because bad roads affect every aspect of our economic activities.”
He assured Nigerians that within the next two years, there would be a substantial transformation of most roads, as contracts would be awarded to deserving contractors. Umahi urged the newly inaugurated members of the FERMA Governing Board to be prepared for the challenges of road infrastructure maintenance and emphasized the need for unwavering commitment to road maintenance programs.
Addressing the issues within FERMA, Umahi acknowledged the need for a review of the agency’s activities and urged a different approach. He stressed the importance of passion and patriotism in achieving improvements, stating, “The day we become patriotic and begin to take public things as if it were our own, then we will see tremendous changes.”
Umahi cautioned against officials remaining in Abuja, urging them to regularly visit different sections of their assigned zones, conduct weekly meetings with zonal workers, and address the challenges on the ground. He emphasized that President Buhari would not hesitate to replace any board member who does not demonstrate commitment to improving the current state of road infrastructure.
In response, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, the Managing Director of FERMA, expressed gratitude to the President for the appointment and pledged to discharge their responsibilities with a sense of duty and adherence to the administration’s policies. The newly constituted board includes individuals appointed by the National Assembly, and they expressed their commitment to making a visible difference in road conditions and enhancing the travel experience for commuters across the country.
