FERMA mulls cost-saving measures for roads’ repairs

Considers output performance-based contract, others

THE Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is developing some strategies that would enable it handle the funding problem facing the agency.

It is also considering some cost-saving measures that would enable it tackle road failure such as Output Performance-Based Contract, sourcing materials locally and involvement of the public in road maintenance.

FERMA’s Managing Director, Gabriel Amuchi, who disclosed this to The Guardian, noted that the problem was as a result of high demand for government funding by several sectors of the economy, adding that the agency is exploring other sources of generating additional funds for road maintenance.

He said: “In many countries, there is International Vehicle Transit Charge. We want to involve the public and investors into road maintenance to reduce demands on government. We are also producing directly the materials needed for road repairs like coal asphalt”.

Amuchi noted that the agency has developed enough equipment to enable it intervene promptly whenever there is a failure on a road.

He observed that since the agency was set up to handle the maintenance of federal highways, there is need to ensure that the roads are not allowed to deteriorate and fail.

He added: “We need to ensure that the safety of road-users are guaranteed through the use of road signs and markings to guide drivers at night. FERMA is providing road support services by developing trailer parks; buildings for accident victims at various black spots to enable the Police and Road Safety intervene promptly when there is any accident on the road. The new Chairman, Board of FERMA, Ezekiel Adeniji, said it is mandatory to fix Nigerian roads if the country is to move forward.”