The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, disclosed that the
Federal Road Authority will replace the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency
(FERMA).
The
minister disclosed this at a two-day workshop to consider the Road Sector Bill
in Abuja.
He
stated that FERMA was a stop gap and not meant to be permanent.
Onolememen
said, “In 1996 when the conference on reforming the road sector was conveyed,
it was agreed that a road authority should be created, along the line interest
came in and FERMA was created.
“It
is in the light of the forgoing that on the October 18, 2011, I inaugurated the
committee for Road Sector Reform, this of course came up with two draft bill.
“The
first bill, the Draft National Road Fund Bill establishes the National Road
Fund to be supervised by a National Road Fund Board and the second bill is the
Draft Federal Roads Authority (FRA).
“This
sets up a semi authonomous road agency that will be responsible for the
efficient construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of federal roads as well
as providing the overall framework and advice for the coordination and the
cornerstone of the nation’s economy.
“Best
practice around the world indicates that Nigeria cannot overcome its road
infrastructure development challenges unless necessary reforms are embarked
upon to reposition the road sector and bring it in sync with its technical
specification of national roads including state and local government roads,”
The
minister maintained that FRA is in line with international best road management
practice.
The
organization, according to him, will provide advice to the minister on road
transportation and road infrastructure matters.
Tags
Politics
Yes FERMA should be scrapt off most the existing agencies re not performing their duties rather it's an avenues to make money Frm the FG.
ReplyDeleteWhen are we going to wake up and do the right thing. Federal Govt. is too fat and too big with too much red tape. FG should play the role of big brother/policing while funding. The new agency should hire engineers with inspecting as their main focus. Allow each state to maintain all road yes including federal roads in their jurisdiction. FG will hold each State Administrator accountable for his or her state roadways. You will see improvement. That is how is done in America.
ReplyDelete