The federal government has expressed commitment to ending era of abandoned road projects across the country.
Consequently, the government disclosed plan to form a dedicated technical committee to oversee Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) contracts across the country.
The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, warned contractors against going against rules of engagement, reminding them that all contracts given are supported by taxpayers who want value for their money.
During a familiarization tour of FERMA projects in the South-West, Goronyo directed FERMA’s management to submit a list of defaulting contractors to the ministry headquarters within the week.
“The era of abandoning projects is over,” he declared, underscoring the government’s commitment to holding contractors accountable.
In a statement released in Abuja by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, the minister highlighted the need for rigorous oversight. He announced plans to set up a robust technical committee to monitor projects nationwide and ensure quality delivery.
“The challenges are real and enormous, but they are not insurmountable,” Goronyo stated, adding that, “We have been drawing from a well without water for too long. Now, we have a President who is willing to face these challenges head-on without complaints. We must tighten our belts and combat these issues directly.”
He urged all stakeholders to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in fulfilling its infrastructure development mandate. “We must be ready to support one another and do things differently,” he added.
The minister also committed to making surprise visits to project locations to evaluate contractors’ performance firsthand. He guaranteed that employee welfare would continue to be a key focus, emphasising that the ministry is dedicated to improving working conditions.
This initiative represents a refreshed emphasis on responsibility and effectiveness in Nigeria’s road upkeep industry, with the goal of providing concrete outcomes for the community.
