The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FERMA

  • Lagos Assembly urges Ambode to repair Ikorodu-Sagamu road

    Lagos Assembly urges Ambode to repair Ikorodu-Sagamu road

    Lagos State House of Assembly Monday called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to repair Ikorodu-Sagamu road to alleviate the suffering of over 42 communities, estates and industries along the axis.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade under matter of urgent public importance at plenary Monday.

    The House also called on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to wake up to its responsibility on federal roads in the state.

    The lawmakers equally called on President Muhammadu Buhari to arrange for the refund of all monies the state has spent maintaining federal roads in the state.

    Agunbiade (Ikorodu I) said that the step has become imperative considering the disaster delay could bring to residents and economic activities in the area.

    He said, “The road is in a very terrible condition, it connects Ikorodu to Sagamu. It is so damaged that unless care is taken, it can lead to losses of lives.

    “Our people cannot wait for the Federal Government to fix the road. We want to call on the governor to direct all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state to help do palliative on this road.

    Hon. Tunde Braimoh (Kosofe 2) said that there was need for urgent intervention by the state government, stressing that the road was germane to the economic activities of the state.

    The lawmaker added that the state government needed to give attention to the road at the entrance to Magodo Estate also.

    Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja ( Ikorodu II), who noted that about 45 industries are located along the corridor, said that the busy road has been abandoned for long.

    Also speaking, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education urged the industries along the corridor to wake up to their corporate responsibility.

    Hon. Abiodun Tobun, the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure said, “Most of the federal roads in Lagos are suffering and the paucity of fund cannot allow the state to fix all of them.”

    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who noted that the poor state of most roads has led to the loss of several lives, urged the state to do something urgently.

    Obasa said that the state government has spent billions of naira managing federal roads, stressing that most of the fund expended had not been refunded by the Federal Government.

    “We will continue to call on the Federal Government to do the needful, we cannot close our eyes on all these roads,” the speaker said.

    He urged FERMA to carry out repair on all failed federal roads in the state.

  • FERMA to rehabilitate 103 roads, 10 bridges

    The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has said plans are underway to rehabilitate 103 roads and 10 bridges across the country.

    This is to facilitate proper maintenance and repairs of the roads, to ensure that all federal roads are made motorable all year round.

    Its Managing Director Peter Ibu, an engineer, stated this in Abuja while defending the 2016 budget before the Senate Committee on Works, and the House Committee on FERMA at the National Assembly Complex.

    Ibu hinted that the agency through the award of contracts and direct labour mechanism in 2015, was able to make positive impact on the lives of Nigerians by embarking on the repair of major economic roads linking states, which helped to minimise accidents during the yuletide period.

    The FERMA boss said priority would be given to more economically viable roads across the nation this year because of the economic value to their locality and the nation, as this would upgrade the commercial activities in the six geopolitical zones.

    According to him, FERMA was positioned to perform optimally, but due to certain constraints beyond its control, the agency had to make use of the best options available. The constraints according to Ibu range from inadequate funding, delayed releases of fund, abuse of highway by articulated vehicles through excessive loading, among others.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said FERMA is a vital tool which should be repositioned for greater achievement in the future.

    Fashola said he has planned to upgrade the agency to the status of a Federal Government Construction company to deal with full road construction and maintenance.

    While reacting to the presentation, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya urged FERMA to double its efforts to ensure that over 80 per cent of roads budgeted are rehabilitated and well maintained to Nigerians the much needed dividends of democracy.

    Similarly, the Chairman, House Committee on FERMA, Jerry Alagbaoso, cautioned the agency on the implementation of its 2016 budget to reflect the genuine change that will benefit the people.

  • FERMA to rehabilitate 103 roads, 10 bridges

    FERMA to rehabilitate 103 roads, 10 bridges

    The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has said plans are underway to rehabilitate 103 roads and 10 bridges across the country.

    This is to facilitate proper maintenance and repairs of the roads, to ensure that all federal roads are made motorable all year round.

    Its Managing Director Peter Ibu, an engineer, stated this in Abuja while defending the 2016 budget before the Senate Committee on Works, and the House Committee on FERMA at the National Assembly Complex.

    Ibu hinted that the agency through the award of contracts and direct labour mechanism in 2015, was able to make positive impact on the lives of Nigerians by embarking on the repair of major economic roads linking states, which helped to minimise accidents during the yuletide period.

    The FERMA boss said priority would be given to more economically viable roads across the nation this year because of the economic value to their locality and the nation, as this would upgrade the commercial activities in the six geopolitical zones.

    According to him, FERMA was positioned to perform optimally, but due to certain constraints beyond its control, the agency had to make use of the best options available. The constraints according to Ibu range from inadequate funding, delayed releases of fund, abuse of highway by articulated vehicles through excessive loading, among others.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said FERMA is a vital tool which should be repositioned for greater achievement in the future.

    Fashola said he has planned to upgrade the agency to the status of a Federal Government Construction company to deal with full road construction and maintenance.

    While reacting to the presentation, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya urged FERMA to double its efforts to ensure that over 80 per cent of roads budgeted are rehabilitated and well maintained to Nigerians the much needed dividends of democracy.

    Similarly, the Chairman, House Committee on FERMA, Jerry Alagbaoso, cautioned the agency on the implementation of its 2016 budget to reflect the genuine change that will benefit the people.

  • SOS to FERMA on Ede road

    SIR: The Ede major federal road, known as Babangida Way, is right now in a state of total collapse. The road stretches from State Hospital junction to Oke-Gada end of the town. It carries heavy volume of human and vehicular traffic, since the town boasts of two world-class universities – Adeleke University, Redeemers University and a Federal Polytechnic. But for heaven knows what, the township road under reference, has for a long time been subjected to complete abandonment and disrepair and nobody seems to care about it.  It is a case of everybody to himself, God for us all.

    This very important road therefore requires very urgent attention and swift action by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) as well as the Nigerian Railway Corporation, all with a view to reducing the agonies, presently encountered by commuters that daily ply the road. The residents and visitors that pass through the Babangida Way on regular basis have resigned to fate, believing that one day; a “messiah” will come to their rescue and do the needful rightfully.

    The state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the course of his second term governorship mega campaign rally, at Adventist Grammar School Ede, in July 2014, entered into a covenant with Ede people to the effect, that by January, he would commence the dualisation of the road in appreciation of Ede people massive support for him. Whether that promise will materialize tomorrow, remains to be seen.

    Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, through its state controller in Osogbo, should put all necessary machineries in motion and deploy his officers to alleviate the suffering of the commuters that are voiceless. Our various political office holders from Ede axis at the state and national assemblies should please help us out, by pulling the necessary strings to call the attention of relevant state and federal authorities to the near collapse situation of Babangida way, Ede, which they also use on regular basis. A stitch in time saves all.

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation ‘level’ crossing at Oke-Gada, is already a death trap for vehicular movements. Prince Sijuade, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, should urgently take a trip to Ede and see things for himself. The level crossing at Olaiya Junction and Old garage at Osogbo, are in harmony with motorists. Why should Oke-Gada, Ede railway “level” crossing be otherwise? What is good for the goose should also be a sauce for the gander. We deserve and desire pleasurable rides on Babangida Way, Ede without further delay.

     

    • Olumide Lawal

    Ede, Osun State.

     

  • FERMA kicks off Northeast roads’ repairs

    FERMA kicks off Northeast roads’ repairs

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, has kicked off a special intervention programme for five Northeastern States (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe states), under the umbrella of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), with Bauchi State as the operational headquarters of the taskforce.

    The programme, which was launched in Bauchi by the Permanent Secretary, is to address the dilapidating state of road infrastructure in the region because of security challenges.

    Kigbu said: “This presents our modest contribution for the ravaged area and the people will be happy. The Northeast in particular is facing serious security challenges and these challenges have impacted a lot on the infrastructure therefore we need to complement the government’s work by bringing in our team to fix the road infrastructure to improve the free movement of people, goods and services”. The effort of the agency is to bring succour to the people of the region. The activities of the insurgence have created hitches in  repairs operation. Hence, road network is characterised with blown up bridges, washouts and multiple potholes.

    FERMA Managing Director Gabriel Amuchi, at the flag-off ceremony said: “This is done to minimise the total collapse of road network in the zone. We have inaugurated a task force to concentrate on recovering the road in the North Eastern areas that are safe to ensure that we do not get to a level of total breakdown of communication, movement of goods and services.

    The committee comprises of 12 members, headed by Mr Garba Mubi, Executive Director, Roads Maintenance Management Services (RMMS), tagged ‘Special Task Force on Highways Maintenance in North East Zone’.

    The Permanent Secretary urged the taskforce to be prudent in the management of resources as it is the only condition for which additional resources will be provided.

    In addition, the Permanent Secretary inspected FERMA’s maintenance repair works in Nasarawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau States respectively.

     

  • No, FERMA, Ekiti-Kogi Road still bad

    No, FERMA, Ekiti-Kogi Road still bad

    SIR:  I jumped up for joy and relief when I read in a supposedly national daily (not The Nation) that the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had completed the fixing of the vital Ekiti-Kogi Road that had gone deplorable for years.

    The misleading report, which was titled “FERMA repairs Ekiti-Kogi road,” published on August 13, 2015, gave the false impression that the critically failed section along Ifaki-Ikole-Omuo-Kogi State Border, which stretches over three kilometres, had been fixed.

    The development, according to a statement by the Engineer in charge of Ekiti, Emmanuel Onu, said the report followed a directive by the agency to all its Field Offices to embark on rescue mission on federal roads within their jurisdiction across the country.

    “The agency has mobilised by removing unsuitable materials, clearing of site, provision of earth drain and turnouts, filling with Boulders, Stonebase, Priming and Asphalt overlay on the failed sections of the road where vehicular movement had been impeded for a while now.

    “The Executive Management Team has come around to assess the extent and quality of work done and applauded the feat attained. The team also inspected other critical roads in Ekiti State to assess the extent of damage and propose possible measures to mitigate the situation,” the statement said.

    Emboldened by the headline, two days after – August 15 – I hit the route from Abuja and headed for Ekiti for a burial ceremony. Alas, my ordeal was better imagined: The route remained a hell as, like other unsuspecting motorists, I wallowed through for over two hours!

    Questions ran riot in my mind as to why the newspaper, Onu and his cohorts at FERMA could decide to delude the motoring public. This is unfair especially on the part of FERMA. There is no reason rushing to the press when the job is yet undone. It is time we realised the fact that members of the public have feelings since blood flows in their veins. Blatant deceit and propaganda won’t do us any good, please!

     

    • Maj. Gen Biodun Alade rtd,

    Maitama, Abuja.

  • FERMA repairs Owerri-Umuahia Road

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has started fixing the failed portions of the Owerri-Obowo-Umuahia Road on its Imo State end. The portions of the road were a source of agony for commuters who ply the road.

    The agency flagged off the repair of all federal roads in the state in July.

    Speaking at the site, the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of FERMA, Mr. Rufus Onimisi, an engineer, urged road users to help the federal government and FERMA in maintaining road infrastructure by desisting from acts that could destroy the roads and initiate failures.

    He mentioned indiscriminate dropping of refuse into drains and waterways as a major contributor to road failures.

    Also speaking, the State FERMA Engineer, Chukwuemeka Maduagwu stated that  the agency is poised to sustain the  tempo and ensure that in no time, all the Federal roads in the state will be free of pot holes.

    According to him, “We have the mandate of the FG to ensure that all Federal roads in the state are in good, safe and comfortable condition. This is why FERMA has started repair operations on all the critically failed portion and pot holes on all the Federal roads in

    Imo State”.

    A motorist, Mr. Steve Emenogu, commended FERMA for the repairs adding that the failed sections had in the past caused accidents and inflicted untold hardship on the people of the area and hindered free flow of traffic.

     

  • FERMA warns against obstructing Apapa port canals

    FERMA warns against obstructing Apapa port canals

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has warned that illegal structures on drainage channels in Apapa/Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, could cause flooding.

    Mr Shakunle Oyekunle, a representative of the agency spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos at the weekend when he visited the ongoing rehabilitation sites on the Apapa/Tin Can Island Port section of Apapa/Oshodi Expressway.

    He said the illegal structures will block the waterways, cause flooding and constant degeneration of the dual-carriage road.

    Oyekunle said the agency decided to address the root cause of flooding along the axis due to predictions of heavy rainfall and flooding by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    He said: “We tried to locate the problem and we discovered that most of the cross drains along this section is silted as a result of illegal structures built on the other end of the road occupied by sand dealers.

    “The sand dealers are occupying those places illegally; the area where the major surface water on the road is supposed to flow straight into the canal is being hampered by these people. Their activities are destroying most of the Federal Government infrastructure, including roads on this axis, and we cannot allow it to continue because the two major ports in the country are here.

    “We will continue to carry out constant de-silting of the drains and rehabilitation work to make the roads good and stop traffic congestion.”

    He said the surface and underground drainage channels on both carriageways will be cleared regularly to avert flooding.

    According to him, the agency will liaise with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on how to evacuate the illegal occupants.

    Oyekunle assured that FERMA will restore all the critical sections on the highway after the drains had been cleaned up, lamentng that water had destroyed the road pavement.

    He expressed happiness that the ongoing Apapa Trailer Park project was nearing completion as it addresses the challenge of indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles.

    He observed that indiscriminate parking of vehicles could also aggravate flooding and road degeneration.

  • FERMA assures Akwa Ibom motorists of zero potholes

    The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has assured motorist plying federal roads in Akwa Ibom State of motorable roads in line with the federal government commitment in making its road safe across the country.

    FERMA’s Zonal Coordinator, Southsouth , Mr. Young Harry, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works along Calaba-Itu road.

    According to him, government commitment to zero pot holes on its roads was irrevocable, calling on motorist plying this busy route to bear with the agency as every effort is being put to make pot holes free.

    Mostly affected roads are Ikot Ekpene-Itu-Cross River state boarder and the Eket-Ikot Abasi road.

    His words: “The activities being carried out include, patching of potholes, desilting of silted concrete lined drains, filling of failed sections with boulders and reinstatement of embankment washout.”

    The Calabar-Itu road constructed in the 70s, he noted needed total rehabilitation, adding however that, in line with FERMA’s mandate, they would ensure that they intervene to make the road motorable road users.

    Fielding questions, he explained that, as an interventionist agency, where any portion of the road is completely bad, the attention of the federal ministry of works would be drawn to it.

    The agency, he added, has been trying to meet its obligations based on available funds, adding that, with expected high funding, road users would soon smile.

    He said: “The Agency will continue the maintenance activities throughout them raining season to ensure that all the federal roads in Akwa Ibom state are motorable and safe for road users.”

     

  • IG team, FERMA rid Kogi highways of criminal hideouts

    IG team, FERMA rid Kogi highways of criminal hideouts

    The Inspector General Police, Mr. Solomon Arase vowed to rid Nigeria highways of men of the underworld and other criminal elements.

    Towards this end, the IG backed by a detachment from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, during the week teamed up with officials drawn from the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Kogi State field office and the North Central zonal office 1 (NC NC1) in cutting over hanging branches from trees along the Okene-Kabba highway.

    The IG team also oversee the repair of failed portions and patching of pot-holes along the federal road.

    FERMA’s zonal Co-ordinator for the North central 1 (NC NC1), Engr. R. K. Olaniyi stated that Kogi state field office embarked on the verge clearing and tree cutting between Obajana junction along Lokoja-Okene road, to enhance motorists visibility and to eliminate criminals’ hideouts.

    The project he said is by direct labour. According to him: “The patching of potholes between km 10000 km- 15500 along Okene-Kabba road using berkamp pothole patcher, is to enhance smooth riding surface and to discourage and eliminate likely areas that may serve as hideout for criminals”.

    He added that the Inspector General of Police showed concern about the safety of motorists and other users of federal roads in the zone.

    Asked about the timing, the FERMA Engineer for Kogi State, Engr. Mohammed Ibrahim said everything was timed.

    He said: “When we work on the road we actually time ourselves. When you do stone-based work you don’t need rain, but when you’re out of the rain you prime, and that is what we are doing now.

    “We have already sent information on some critical roads to head office based on request, so it now depends on their approval, but the ones we can attend to are the ones we are doing.

    “On-going work on the Obajana Road is also part of efforts to expose criminals, so that when you are driving, visibility will be clearer and you will be able to see far. This will ensure safety along the corridor and help minimise criminality”.