The Service Compact (SERVICOM) presidency has urged the Ministry of Works and Housing to pay immediate attention to the repairs and reconstruction of affected Federal roads.
The National Coordinator SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, disclosed this in a visual meeting presentation of SERVICOM Compliance Evaluation (SCE) reports of eleven (11) zones and headquarters of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on Wednesday, in Abuja.
Identifying the weakness of FERMA Headquarters, Akajemeli stated that, “From interaction with road users, it was gathered that most Federal roads across the country have become unconducive for vehicular movement, resulting in accidents/crashes discomfort. For instance, Mokwa-Kwara State border road, Bida-Lapai – Lambata roads etc. These roads are in need of urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The country has 36000 kilometers only of Federal Roads all over the nation to cater for movement of people and goods across the nation. This is not sufficient for the country’s growing population and the increase in number of cars, long trucks on the road e.g. Abuja-Minna road. Budgetary allocation for the Agency to maintain all Federal roads across the nation is inadequate with delay in releases for road maintenance, insufficient funding had negatively impacted on the Agency’s operations.”
The failed roads of infrastructure from the popular Lagos, Ibadan, and Lokoja roads respectively, according to her have become a death trap and strategic points for kidnapping activities which in turn should be addressed as a matter of urgency to prevent the loss of life and properties on the roads.
“On the Lagos and Ogun State roads, it was observed and confirmed by some technical staff during the visit to both zonal states offices that operational vehicles and heavy-duty equipment for road maintenance and rehabilitation (ie. Hand roller machines, asphalt cutter, vibrating plate, raid marking machines) were inadequate. This doesn’t only slow down the capacity of the Agency but also has negative impact on the quality of job delivered for road users,” she stressed.
At the conclusion of the findings, she stated that most Federal roads are in bad shape, becoming unconducive for vehicular movement, “a cause of accidents and in need of urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
She urged the federal government to make available financial provision for the operations of the federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) by devising alternative means of funding to complement budgetary allocation e.g. public and Private Partnership as obtainable in other countries in order for the Agency to deliver on its mandate affectively.
The evaluation covered the entire geographical region of the nation.
Speaking, the Managing Director/FERMA Egnr. Nurudeen Rafindadi lauded SERVICOM for the reporting stating that it will guide the management team on what is expected to ensure that the identified areas of concern are adequately addressed for better and more efficient service delivery.
“The management will continue to ensure that the administrative processes for achieving the Agency’s mandate are not encumbered in any way because of Service failure due to the non-compliance to SERVICOM principles and directives in the execution order001,” Rafindadi added
