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Tag: FERMA

  • FERMA engages 800 youths

    FERMA engages 800 youths

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in Kebbi, has engaged 800 youths in its Vegetation and Silt Control programme, an intervention to maintain roads and reduce accidents in the state.

    The State Coordinator, Mallam Rilwanu Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.

    Usman said: “We learnt that the vegetation and silt needed to be controlled in view of the harmful and devastating effects they had been causing to roads and motorists plying our roads in the state.

    “Outgrowth of vegetation serves as hideout for armed robbers and also obstruct site distance by motorists; hence we engaged the youths as part of our efforts to reduce the rate of accident.

    “By this, we prevent damage of vehicles and increase the life span of roads as well as reduce unemployment and idleness among the youth.”

    He said youths were engaged in collaboration with district heads in the area to assist in clearing the vegetation and silt spanning 100 kilometers in Koko/Besse Local Government Area.

    Usman added that the agency was also carrying out road maintenance; total repairs and work in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu and Sokoto State border road.

    “The road is 82 kilometres length; it is pervaded by hydrological structures problem.

    “It was rehabilitated six years ago by the State Government on behalf of the Federal Government but before work began, the road had since been in bad state,” he said.

    The coordinator said the agency had repaired bad roads in Kanfani, Gotomo, Gangarin-Yantifa and potholes in Zauro along Birnin Kebbi and Argungu road.

     

     

     

  • FERMA engages 800 unemployed youths in Kebbi

    FERMA engages 800 unemployed youths in Kebbi

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in Kebbi, has engaged 800 unemployed youths in its Vegetation and Silt Control programme, an intervention to maintain roads and reduce accidents in the state.

    The State Coordinator of the agency, Mallam Rilwanu Usman, made this disclosure in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

    “We learnt that the vegetation and silt needed to be controlled in view of the harmful and devastating effects they had been causing to roads and motorists plying our roads in the state.

    “Outgrowth of vegetation serves as hideout for armed robbers and also obstruct site distance by motorists; hence we engaged the youths as part of our efforts to reduce the rate of accident.

    “By this, we prevent damage of vehicles and increase the life span of roads as well as reduce unemployment and idleness among the youth,” he said.

    Read Also:  FERMA, ICRC partners on road maintenance, funding

    He said youths were engaged in collaboration with district heads in the area to assist in clearing the vegetation and silt spanning 100 kilometers in Koko/Besse Local Government Area.

    Usman added that the agency was also carrying out road maintenance; total repairs and work in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu and Sokoto State border road.

    “The road is 82 kilometres length; it is pervaded by hydrological structures problem.

    “It was rehabilitated six years ago by the State Government on behalf of the Federal Government but before work began, the road had since been in bad state,” he said.

    The coordinator said the agency had repaired bad roads in Kanfani, Gotomo, Gangarin-Yantifa and potholes in Zauro along Birnin Kebbi and Argungu road.

    He expressed optimism that the intervention would be sustained by the new management of FERMA with vigour and commitment in order to achieve potholes free roads in the state.

    NAN

  • FERMA, ICRC partners on road maintenance, funding

    FERMA, ICRC partners on road maintenance, funding

    The managements of the Federal Road Management Agency  ( FERMA ) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission are in a partnership that would engender a sustainable road infrastructure mechanism for the country.

    The decision was reached at a meeting between the two agencies in Abuja on Tuesday.

    At the meeting, the ICRC Acting Director General, Engr. Chidi Izuwah and FERMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Nurudeen Rafindadi, agreed to study all options and pick the ones that would change the dynamics of road infrastructure in the country.

    Stressing the importance of injecting private capital into road infrastructure projects as done elsewhere, Izuwah explained that the fastest way to recover the investments would be through tolling in addition to an effective Operate, Maintain and Transfer mechanism.

    He said the ICRC is prepared to bring the private sector to work with the FERMA management, noting that, if properly handled, there would be an added boost to the economy with the creation of high net worth jobs.

    Lamenting that the past management of FERMA failed to utilise the opportunity offered by the ICRC since 2010 to work together, Izuwah expressed optimism that the Rafindadi-led management would speed action on the proposed partnership.

    He said: “We are here to help FERMA to drive the partnership between the public and private sector in road maintenance infrastructure. Tolling is one mechanism to recover investments on road maintenance. Another mechanism is Operate, Maintain and Transfer.

    “It is extremely important that private capital is brought into the infrastructure projects. So we are here to look at the ways and means where we can drive public private partnership in road maintenance to grow the economy. As ICRC, we will like to work with you by bringing in the private sector to work with you so that you don’t fail.”

    Describing Izuwah’s presentation as captivating, Rafindadi said FERMA would be glad to work with an institution like the ICRC with its passionate belief in the efficient management of infrastructure for the good of all citizens in a sustainable way.

    He said the partnership should “mark a formal handshake that would go a long way in the realisation of the objectives of FERMA.”

    Rafindadi, while explaining that all departments of FERMA would embark on series study tours to the National Highway Department of India which has been successful in handling the country’s road infrastructure challenges, said the agency will make use of the informed decisions offered by the ICRC.

    “I think we have a worthy partner on this journey. I see a lot of work ahead of us. These are the things that are doable but we seem to have a challenge. We seem to have a flux in the policy of the road sector reforms in Nigeria for a while now. We seem to have an unwillingness to imbibe the road sector reforms probably because of our size. One of the things that we will need to grapple with is how to deal with issues surrounding our public procurement thinking.”

  • Buhari appoints Governing Board for FERMA

    Buhari appoints Governing Board for FERMA

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the appointments of the Governing Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

    A statement issued by the Assistant Director (Press) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mohammed Nakorji, said Mr. Tunde Lemo is the Chairman of the Board.

    The Board members are – Nurudeen Abdurrahaman Rafindadi, Buba Silas Abdullahi, Babagana Mohammad Aji, Shehu Udman Abdullahi and Loretta Ngozichukwu Aniagolu.

    Others are – Mujaidu Stanley Dako, Vincent Oladapo Kolawole, Chukwunwike O. Uzo, Olubunmi Siyanbola, Abdulrazak Ma’aji, Saidu Abdulkadir and Peter Osawe.

    The appointments are subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

    The President also approved the re-appointment of Engr. Peter O. Ewesor, as the Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA) for a final term of four years in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(3) of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency Act, 2015.

    Ewezor’s re-appointment took effect from October 3.

  • FERMA satisfied with Abia road repair

    ‘What we did was to repair the roads and make them passable for motorists and we have done them to the best level available’

    The management of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commended the work done by its Abia State office on both the Umuahia-Bende and Umuahia-Ariam-Ikot Ekpene federal roads.

    The commendation was given by Mr Bonaventure Nweke, an engineer, and Deputy General Manager, Operations, Abuja, when he led a team of four other engineers Ilegbusi Adebayo, GM Mechanical, A. J. Adedayo, Zonal Director, Southeast II and Timothy Nehemiah, Operations I Abuja, to Abia, saying that the state office has done well.

    Speaking while conducting the four visiting engineers round the two sites, the resident engineer for Abia State, Abraham Akange said that both roads were awarded on direct labour basis as captured in the 2016 budget.

    Akange said that the management staff came as part of their oversight function to see the extent of work done on the roads, adding that the repair works have been done while the work on drainage system will come next.

    He said that the work on the roads was given out to be done on direct labour basis.

    “What we did was just to repair the roads and make them passable for motorists and we have done them to the best level available.”

    The Abia FERMA boss praised motorists plying the Umuahia-Bende Road for their understanding while the repair work was going on and urged them to be careful as the work has not been completed.

    On the Umuahia-Ariam-Ikot Ekpene road, Akange said that the roads was so bad before now that vehicles were falling into ditches, while others were traveling through bush parts, “But after the work we did, the road is now good enough for motorists to move at good speed”.

    He said that after the work on the road which was flagged off by Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central senatorial district and Sam Onuigbo representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency was completed, “We are going to work on the drainage system”.

    The Abia FERMA boss said that as the 2017 budget is about to be passed that they expect that the federal government will allocate more funds to the agency to enable them tackle more roads in the state.

    Akange praised the people of Ariam for being peaceful during their stay at the area, stressing that there was never any incident such as theft and youth harassment which normally occurs in such situation.

    He used the forum to warn motorists using the newly repaired road to drive with caution, “When the road was bad FERMA was called and we have done our work and now that it is good they have been speeding which could lead to accidents”.

    In his response, the leader of the team, Nweke said they were impressed with the level of work done by their Abia office and urged them to continue to do quality works.

    Nweke said that they were in the state to see the level of work done on their projects as given out through direct labour within the period as budgeted in the outgoing 2016 budget

  • FERMA gets ultimatum on contract defaulters

    FERMA gets ultimatum on contract defaulters

    The Presidency has given the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) a 14-day ultimatum to compile and forward names of contract defaulters to the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution.

    It directed that the list outlining the names of the defaulting contractors should be forwarded to the Special Assistants’ office for further action.

    A letter addressed to the Office of the Acting Managing Director of FERMA by the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, said any contractor found wanting would be prosecuted.

    The letter, dated March 22, also said the process would enable the government obtain necessary information to make the Federal Government pay contractors that had executed their projects but had not been fully paid.

  • FERMA begins rehabilitation of Alapere/Old Toll Gate Road

    The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has begun filling of critical portions of the Alapere/Old Toll Gate Road on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the site on Monday, reports that FERMA is laying asphalt on the Ibadan-bound carriageway from the Ketu Junction to the Old Toll Gate Bus Stop.

    FERMA had deployed men and machines including asphalt-paving machines and rollers on the outer lane of the road.

    A source in the agency told NAN on condition of anonymity that FERMA moved to site on Tuesday to lay asphalt on various sections of the road, beginning from Alapere.

    Mr Tayo Awodu, a FERMA engineer in charge of the project, said that the agency was working on distressed portions of the highway.

    “We are filling distressed portions of the pavement and overlaying them with asphalt.

    “We have evolved a new plan to finish the work this month if all things work out according to plans.’’

    He noted that heavy vehicular traffic was a major challenge to construction in Lagos, saying that the company was working at night to speed up work.

    NAN reports that the road project was awarded to MJD Ventures in November 2016. It was scheduled to be completed by May.

  • Motorists groan as contractors abandons work on third mainland bridge

    Motorists groan as contractors abandons work on third mainland bridge

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has come under heavy criticism from residents in Lagos over the abandonment of the repair works in the Third Mainland Bridge and other adjoining roads.

    The Agency, last month had begun repairs on both carriage ways of the Bridge, scrapping the asphalt on some section of the bridge, but had vacated site for over two weeks, leaving motorists to contend with the current state of the road.

    Motorists had attributed several accidents which had occurred on the Bridge in recent times to the uncoordinated method by which FERMA was carrying out the repair works.

    But investigations on Friday, however, showed that though the sum of N10billion was voted for FERMA in the 2016 Budget of the Federal Ministry of Works, the contractor engaged for the job was yet to be mobilised.

    With the March 31, 2017 date for the end of the implementation of the 2017 budget fast approaching, FERMA had hurriedly moved the contractor to site, however its failure to mobilize them led to the repair works being stalled.

    Some motorists in the State are however calling on the Minister of Works to rise up to the challenge and ensure that the Agency completes the repair works so as to save motorists the nightmare and the incessant accidents caused by the present state of the Bridge.

    Mr. Babajide Kasali, a motorist who plies the axis on a daily basis, decried the long hours of traffic occasioned by the slow pace of the repair works, saying that it was gradually taking a toll on his health and productivity.

    Another motorist, Mrs. Abidemi Otegbola said FERMA’s inability to carry out its duties was due to lack of proper monitoring by the parent ministry.

  • FERMA boss to answer for unused N10billion in coffers

    FERMA boss to answer for unused N10billion in coffers

    A joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has threatened sanctions against the Acting Managing Director of the agency, Mr Peter Ibu.

    The committee handed down the threat on Wednesday as a result of non-utilisation of N10 billion allocation in the agency’s coffers, which was meant for projects in the 2016 budget.

    The dormant N10 billion allocation was uncovered during the agency’s budget defence session before the joint committee.

    A member of the joint committee, Mr Magaji Aliyu (Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency, has drawn the attention of members to the released to FERMA for road rehabilitation projects in different parts of the country but which was left untouched.

    The committee frowned at the action, against the background of the deplorable state of major federal roads in different parts of the country. 

    It accused the agency of insensitivity to the plight of road users who have been falling victim to fatal road accidents occasioned by the deplorable condition of the roads. 

    Peter IbuAliyu said, “The leadership of FERMA does not seem to be responsible. People are dying every day, six persons died along Kano/Kaduna road just yesterday (Tuesday) and the Agency had N10 billion released to it out of the N40billion appropriated in 2016 budget which was not utilised. 

    “Decisive action should be taken against FERMA. The Managing Director should be removed; those in charge of the agency should be changed because it is absolutely unacceptable for people to be dying on a daily basis as a result of the deplorable condition of the highways and FERMA failing to carry out the needed intervention with the  N10billion allocated to it.” 

    The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Magnus Abe also spoke in similar vein, declaring that FERMA had failed totally in its 2016 budget performance and charged the management to rise to its responsibilities.

    The committee, however, pledged to ensure adequate funding for the agency, insisting that FERMA must submit a clear cut budgetary expectation document for the 2017 fiscal year.

    Abe said, “Let’s say that we like to hear and understand the expectations of FERMA for 2017, believing that if we work together, we will be able to change narratives of the agency.” 

    The FERMA boss however responded by saying that the agency was hampered by a number of financial challenges, leading to its inability to meet up with its mandates in 2016.

    According to him, FERMA lacked trained accounting staff to handle the TSA regime, stressing the urgent need to satisfy certain requirements to secure sub-TSA accounts for field offices.

    He told the committee that the agency was almost grounded in 2016, owing to the difficulty in accessing funds appropriated to it, as well as a delay in budgetary approval which got started in May 2016. 

    Said he, “The challenges posed by the newly introduced zero-base budget process and the TSA policy, difficulties in accessing funds directly appropriated for direct labour, and delay in budget approval which took off in May last year were factors that hampered our activities.”

  • FERMA begins asphalt-laying on Third Mainland Bridge

    FERMA begins asphalt-laying on Third Mainland Bridge

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) yesterday began laying of asphalt on IBB Boulevard, popularly called the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents, who visited the bridge, observed FERMA workmen spreading asphalt on the Obalende/CMS bound carriageway; trucks loaded with construction materials lined up in front of a roller-paving machine.
    Last month, FERMA removed asphalt from some critical portions on the bridge, preparatory to the beginning of the repair.
    The engineer supervising the project, Tayo Awodun, told NAN that FERMA was mindful of the high traffic volume on the axis and had devised a way that would ease the situation while working.
    “The only problem on the bridge is the high traffic volume but we are managing it.
    “We are working on Lagos in-bound carriageway now because the traffic is higher on the out-bound lanes because of those returning home from work”.
    He said work would continue on both carriageways on rotational basis late into the night.
    This is a bid to complete the whole work in a record time, adding with minimal inconvenience as possible to road users, Awodun said.