The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has celebrated 17 of its staff members for distinguishing themselves in service.
The assessment for the awards was made between 2011 and 2013; it cut cutting across all cadres.
At the ceremony held in Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, were Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze, who chaired the occasion; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji; Director-General Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Eze, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr Abubakar Koro Muhammad, who represented Minister of Works, Alhaji Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya; and President, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and member, FERMA Governing Board.
Also present were representatives of major contractors, and other dignitaries.
Senator Eze said the reward for work is more work, advising those who were honoured to show more commitment while those yet to be recognised not lose hope.
He said the impact of FERMA was being felt and applauded by the public.
Aji, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, said he was happy to be associated with FERMA and the sector.
Noting FERMA’s achievements, he said the notion that civil servants don’t contribute much to economic growth had been proved wrong.
Also, Chairman, FERMA Governing Board, Ezekiel Adeniji, said his board was lucky to have a competent and committed management team, a conducive policy environment and good will from the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
FERMA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gabriel Amuchi, thanked the awardees and other staff for their contributions to the agency.
The agency, he said, had reduced the stock of poor and bad roads from eight per cent in 2003, when FERMA commenced operations, to about 26 per cent last year.
He said FERMA is better positioned and resolved in its commitment to improving federal roads, adding that it had acquired some machinery, employed and trained more staff.
He also said staff welfare was being improved by the management.
