Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, has emphasized the need for alternative funding for Nigeria’s 35,000km federal road network, as budgetary allocations remain insufficient.
This comes despite the approval of N926.2 billion for road projects and N64.88 billion for maintenance in the 2025 budget.
This was disclosed by Goronyo during a visit to the Kogi State Field Office of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency in Lokoja, alongside the MD/CEO, Engr. Chukwumeka Agbasi.
This was stated in a press release signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Tuesday.
Goronyo noted that due to the heavy financial burden, it is essential to explore alternative funding sources beyond government allocations to sustain and expand the road network.
He said, “About 35,000km of roads cannot be funded and maintained overnight. We have to look for alternative sources of funding so that we can continue to maintain our physical assets, which are the roads. We have to create new ways of funding and new alternatives.”
He assured that the government is committed to completing projects on time and efficiently, with strict oversight and contractor compliance.
The minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to repairing roads to help reduce unemployment, crime, and insecurity.
“Let me commend President Tinubu for his determination. I have never seen a President so committed to sustaining physical assets nationwide. The administration gives priority to various road projects scattered across the country.
“This shows that he is a patriotic Nigerian. He is undertaking these projects so that our economy can be improved, and the rate of unemployment, poverty, and crimes will be reduced. We are seeing the Super Highways from Ilelah to Sokoto to Badagry and another from Lagos to Calabar,” the statement added.
Goronyo praised FERMA staff for their resilience and hard work despite challenges like insecurity and inadequate funding, noting that Nigerians appreciate their efforts.
He urged them to be patient with the Ministry regarding their entitlements, assuring that their requests for salary adjustments and increments have been submitted to the Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission for consideration.
“I am calling on all of you to support us to ensure that the President succeeds in his mandate to deliver on the 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda. We must put Nigeria first before our interests. Let us fix our roads, we must think positively,” noted.
In his address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FERMA, Chukwumeka Agbasi, praised the Ministry of Works for its commitment to implementing President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, particularly in advancing road projects nationwide.
He assured the staff that their salaries would be increased before the end of the year and urged them to continue supporting the Ministry in achieving its goals.
Giving an overview, the Officer in Charge of the Kogi Field Office, Muktar Abdurahim, informed the minister that the office has 37 staff members, including 25 permanent and 12 casual workers.
He stated that Kogi State has 16 Federal Government roads covering a total of 1,263km, noting that the 2024 nationwide flooding did not affect any of the roads in the state.
