The House of representatives Member representing Ido/Ibarapa federal constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA, Hon. (Engr) Dr. Aderemi Oseni, delivered a keynote address at the joint retreat of the National Assembly, members of the Board, and the management team of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on June 28, 2024. With a theme of “I See a New FERMA Arising!”, the event aimed to reflect on the past, assess the present, and chart a course for a brighter future for Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
Hon. Oseni emphasized the critical moment in the history of Nigeria’s road infrastructure, highlighting the poor state of the roads and its impact on the economy, safety, and quality of life. He commended the Honourable Minister for Works, Senator (Engr) David Umahi, for his efforts in reconstructing and rehabilitating various roads in Nigeria.
The Chairman acknowledged the newly constituted members of the FERMA board and commended the Managing Director, Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, for his vision and dedication to improving FERMA’s effectiveness. Dr. Oseni emphasized the need for a new and improved FERMA that can better serve the people of Nigeria, urging the agency to be proactive, dynamic, and responsive to the nation’s needs.
He highlighted the importance of learning from other countries’ experiences in road maintenance and emphasized the need for a long-term vision for road maintenance in Nigeria. Dr. Oseni reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to the rebirth of FERMA, an agency that is proactive, transparent, and accountable in all its actions.
Engr Remi Oseni outlined a 14-point agenda to reposition, reengineer, and turnaround FERMA, focusing on key priority areas such as adequate funding, performance-based financing, capacity building, and collaboration with stakeholders. He urged the FERMA management team to work hand-in-hand with the National Assembly to execute the agenda effectively.
Dr. Oseni called for collaboration and unity among all stakeholders, emphasizing that the path ahead may be fraught with obstacles, but together, they can overcome them. He urged the leadership of FERMA to act with courage and determination in charting a new course for the agency, embracing innovation, harnessing technology, and prioritizing accountability.
The keynote address ended with a call to action, urging all participants to make the most of the opportunity to equip themselves with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to embark on a journey of rebirthing, repositioning, and reengineering a new FERMA that is responsive to the needs of Nigeria.
