The Federal Government needs at least ₦880 billion every year to maintain Nigeria’s road infrastructure, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, told lawmakers on Monday.
Goronyo made the disclosure while appearing before the House of Representatives committee probing the alleged non-remittance of the five percent user charge on petrol and diesel, which is statutorily meant for federal road maintenance under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act.
He stressed that the road network plays a critical role in Nigeria’s commerce and unity, saying, “Our roads are the lifelines of commerce and social integration. Their maintenance is not merely a policy directive but a national imperative.”
According to the minister, FERMA’s annual funding requirement remains unmet due to poor remittance of the fuel surcharge and inadequate budgetary allocations.
He revealed that the agency received ₦76.3 billion in 2023, ₦103.3 billion in 2024, and ₦168.9 billion in the 2025 budget – far below the ₦880 billion needed to effectively maintain roads nationwide.
“This persistent funding shortfall has forced the agency to adopt a reactive rather than preventive maintenance strategy,” Goronyo explained, warning that poor funding was contributing to the rapid deterioration of roads, rising maintenance costs, and hardship for commuters and businesses alike.
He emphasized the need for timely remittance of the user charge, calling it a “viable solution to bridge the financing gap and reduce dependency on annual budgetary provisions.”
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, criticised the ongoing failure to comply with the FERMA Act, lamenting the impact on Nigerians and the affected government agencies.
He said the House would carry out a comprehensive investigation to uncover the extent of the non-compliance and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“We will determine the scale of unremitted funds and recommend measures to prevent future violations,” Abbas said, adding that transparency and consistency in remittance would be key to resolving the funding crisis.
Also speaking, FERMA Director-General Chukwuemeka Agbasi called for a dedicated road fund, legally protected to prevent diversion or delays from the Ministry of Finance or the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“We need statutory protection to ensure road maintenance funding is guaranteed and timely,” he said.
Mukaila Oseni, Director of Operations at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), added that the FERMA Act lacks clarity on how remittances should be made, contributing to systemic delays.
In response, the committee ordered the NMDPRA to provide a full breakdown of outstanding funds due to FERMA at the committee’s next sitting.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
