ABUJA – The Senate Committee on Appropriations has recommended a total allocation of ₦229,789,782,374 for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), underscoring the critical role of road maintenance in boosting economic recovery and addressing growing security threats across the country.
Presenting the joint committee’s report, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Friday, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, said the recommendation followed a detailed defence session by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Sahabi Alhaji Yaú, and extensive interactions with the agency’s management and relevant stakeholders.
According to Monguno, the approved breakdown includes ₦5,057,701,838 for personnel costs, ₦33,268,308,390 for overhead, and ₦191,263,762,146 for capital expenditure, bringing the total proposed budget to ₦229.79 billion.
He noted that the capital allocation represents a significant improvement compared to previous appropriations and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at revitalising infrastructure to stimulate economic growth.
“The importance of this agency cannot be ignored,” Monguno said. “A functional and well-maintained road network translates directly into viable economic activities and multiple positive effects across the economy.”
Lawmakers stressed that FERMA’s mandate is vital across the six geopolitical zones, particularly in conflict-affected areas where poor road conditions exacerbate insecurity.
Monguno cited incidents in his constituency in Borno State, where insurgents reportedly exploit damaged sections of highways to plant improvised explosive devices, leading to fatal attacks on security personnel.
“There is a need for robust funding for this agency to close these gaps along our roads and deny insurgents and criminal elements the opportunity to exploit failed infrastructure,” he said.
Earlier in his presentation, Yaú emphasised that the agency’s improved capital budget for 2026 reflects the National Assembly’s recognition of the strategic importance of routine and emergency road maintenance.
The joint committee also highlighted the necessity for continuous allocation to ensure timely assessment of road conditions, rehabilitation of failed sections, maintenance of bridges, clearing of drainages, and vegetation control along federal highways.
In his remarks, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA and current chairman of the North West Development Commission noted that maintenance is not just a technical obligation but an economic strategy.
“Maintenance is not only a culture; it is an economy,” he said, adding that scaling up FERMA’s operations would generate direct and indirect employment opportunities nationwide.
He further stressed the need for strict enforcement of defect liability periods on completed federal road projects, noting that contractors whose projects have exceeded the liability period should formally hand over roads for maintenance to avoid further deterioration.
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The Senate Committee expressed appreciation for the leadership of the National Assembly and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening road infrastructure as a national asset critical to economic stability and security.
The recommended ₦229.79 billion allocation for FERMA has been forwarded for final approval in line with the attached schedules.
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