The Senate Wednesday urged the Federal Government to spend N500bn from the N1.9trillion Service Wide Vote for re-fixing of federal roads destroyed by the recent flood disaster across the country.
It added that the rehabilitation should be undertaken by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency ( FERMA) .
The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored to that effect by Senator Gershom Bassey ( PDP Cross Rivers South).
Leading debate on the motion, Senator Bassey noted that this year’s floods were the worst that Nigeria had experienced in decades as the rise in water level is more than the 2012 and 2020 episode.
He also stated that 2022 floods had further worsened the deplorable state of Nigeria’s federal roads.
He said the justification for the proposed money become necessary since some major inter- state roads were impassable as water has washed off most parts of the road and bridges creating economic and human security crises.
He added that the heavy vehicular and human movement of Nigerians
associated with the end of year festivities will be impacted negatively as a result of the deplorable roads occasioned by the 2022 road.
The Senate therefore directed that the NNPC Limited Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme should be expanded to cover maintenance of failed sections of federal roads.
The motion was titied, “The negative impact of the 2022 flood on Nigerian roads and the need for urgent and improved funding of FERMA from Service Wide Vote & NNPC Tax Credit Scheme.”
It reads : , “Aware that this year’s floods are the worst that Nigeria has experienced in decades as the rise in water level is more than the 2012 and 2020 episode;
“Further aware that the 2022 floods have further worsened the deplorable state of Nigeria’s federal roads;
“Worried that some major inter-state roads are impassable as water has washed off most parts of the road and bridges creating economic and human security crises;
“Concerned that road transportation is the major means of transportation in Nigeria since air transportation and others are not within the reach of most Nigerians.
“Further concerned that the heavy vehicular and human movement of Nigerians associated with end of year festivities will be impacted negatively as a result of the deplorable roads occasioned by the 2022 flood.
“Accordingly resolves to call all on the Federal Government to Declare a State of Emergency on Federal Roads and improve its funding;
“Dedicate part of the Service Wide Vote allocation of N500bn to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency for the urgent rehabilitation of roads ravaged by the 2022 floods;
“Direct the NNPC Ltd Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme should be expanded to cover maintenance of failed sections of federal roads.”
