BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has noted that it has spent N6.2 billion for road maintenance across the six geo-political zones in the country just as the agency has embarked on aggressive patching of federal roads across the nation preparatory to Sallah and Xmas season.

The new Managing Director of FERMA, Mr. Gabriel Amuchi who disclosed to Vanguard Homes & Property recently said in spite of paucity of funds which has remained a critical challenge to the agency, FERMA has recently expended N6.2 billion in road projects that have all been completed.

A breakdown of the amount showed that the agency completed six road projects in the North West to the tune of N2.72 billion; South West N2.13 billion; one project in the North East, N356.1million; one in the South-South, N235.5million and one project in the South East to the tune of N190.12million.

Amuchi said, “Recent maintenance works have improved the consciousness and awareness of the public for the need for an efficient road transport infrastructure through an entrenched sustainable maintenance culture. We have also improved in our in-house engineering capacity, Direct Labour operation; Street Lighting of important bridges and key sections of our highways to improve road safety.

“We have equally commenced the establishment of Road Support Service Centres (RSSC) and Observation Camps at identified flashpoints nationwide; establishment of Bridge Unit to effectively monitor and maintain our bridges which are the vital links on our highways”.

He said the agency would henceforth ensure that federal roads will not go bad before repairs are carried out, adding that rather FERMA would do all within its capacity to prevent the roads from going bad.

According to him, the key policy direction of FERMA is to implement a preventive maintenance regime, stressing that, in this regard, the agency will soon be putting in place the following for effective operation- aggressive patching of potholes along our roads in readiness for December movement and other festive seasons.

He explained that FERMA is going to start aggressive patching of all federal roads beginning from now, pointing out that the agency wants to ensure that all its roads are well patched and maintained before the Christmas.

FERMA Boss said the agency has also mounted a surveillance unit in all the states to monitor and ensure quality of repairs being carried out whilst ensuring speedy completion of all on-going maintenance contracts.

Aside the inadequate funding of the agency, Amuchi identified some other challenges confronting it which include: poor understanding of statutory mandate and responsibility; inappropriate use of road infrastructure by motorists and the general public; excess axle loading of articulated vehicles; refuse dumping on the shoulders, drains and manholes; illegal parking on the road and vandalisation of road infrastructure like streetlight cables and fitting, bridge railing and road signs, among others.