The National Assembly has lauded the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for its proactive approach to road rehabilitation despite severe budgetary constraints, while simultaneously calling for a massive injection of funds to fix Nigeria’s deteriorating road network.
During a 2026 budget defense session held on Thursday, February 19, the Joint National Assembly Committee on Roads expressed satisfaction with the leadership of FERMA, led by Managing Director/CEO Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi. Lawmakers noted that the agency has demonstrated high levels of transparency and efficiency in executing its mandate across the six geopolitical zones.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Hussaini Babangida Uba, praised the agency for maximizing its limited resources. However, he warned that the current “envelope system” of budgeting—which caps expenditures regardless of actual need—is detrimental to the nation’s infrastructure.
“FERMA has shown capacity and commitment, but you cannot expectation them to perform miracles with an empty treasury,” Senator Uba stated. “The state of our roads is a national emergency that requires a departure from traditional funding models.”
Lawmakers acknowledged that out of the over 36,000 kilometers of federal roads, a significant portion requires urgent intervention to prevent total collapse.
The Committee pledged to interface with the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office to seek an upward review of FERMA’s capital allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The National Assembly commended FERMA’s use of “Direct Labour” interventions, which has proven cost-effective in repairing washouts and potholes in critical economic corridors.
Engr. Agbasi informed the committee that the agency’s current funding ceiling is vastly insufficient to cover the backlog of maintenance required to make Nigerian roads safe and motorable.
Responding to the Committee’s commendation, Engr. Agbasi thanked the lawmakers for their oversight and support. He reaffirmed FERMA’s dedication to ensuring that federal roads remain functional, noting that improved funding would allow the agency to deploy more personnel and equipment to high-traffic areas.
The National Assembly concluded by reiterating that motorable roads are essential for national security and economic growth, promising to prioritize FERMA’s needs during the final collation of the 2026 budget.
