Nigeria needs alternative funding to maintain 35,000km of roads

Nigeria needs alternative funding to maintain 35,000km of roads — Minister

The Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Goronyo, has said that over 35,000 kilometres of the Federal Government’s road network currently require alternative funding arrangements, as budgetary allocations alone have proven inadequate over the years.

This is despite an approved allocation of ₦926.2 billion for road projects and ₦64.88 billion for road maintenance in the 2025 budget.

He pointed out that, due to the significant financial burden, it has become crucial to explore and secure alternative sources of funding beyond the traditional government coffers to ensure the maintenance and expansion of this extensive infrastructure.

Goronyo made this statement during a visit to the Kogi State Field Office of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Lokoja, alongside the MD/CEO, Engr. Chukwumeka Agbasi.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, on Tuesday.

He said, “About 35,000 kilometres of roads cannot be funded and maintained overnight. We have to look for alternative sources of funding so that we can continue to maintain our physical assets, which are the roads. We have to create new ways of funding and new alternatives.”

He assured that the government was focused on ensuring that projects are completed in a timely and efficient manner, with robust oversight and contractors’ compliance.

The minister also reaffirmed the commitment of the current administration to fix all roads, ensuring a drastic reduction in unemployment, crime rates, and insecurity.

The statement added: “Let me commend President Tinubu for his determination. I have never seen a President so committed to sustaining physical assets nationwide. The administration prioritises various road projects scattered across the country, which shows that he is a patriotic Nigerian.

“He is undertaking these projects so that our economy can improve, and the levels of unemployment, poverty, and crime can be reduced. We are seeing the Super Highways from Ilelah to Sokoto to Badagry and another from Lagos to Calabar.”

Goronyo, who commended the FERMA staff for their resilience and hard work over the years, noted that despite insecurity and inadequate funding, Nigerians have recognised their commendable efforts.

He urged them to bear with the Ministry of Works regarding their entitlements, disclosing that their requests for salary adjustments and increments have been forwarded to the Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission for consideration and approval.

He stated: “I am calling on all of you to support us in ensuring that the President succeeds in his mandate to deliver on the 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda. We must put Nigeria first before our personal interests. Let us fix our roads, and we must think positively.”

Earlier in his address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FERMA, Engineer Chukwumeka Agbasi, commended the Ministry of Works for its determination to ensure that the eight-point agenda of President Tinubu is realised, especially regarding road projects across the country.

He informed the staff that before the end of the year, there would be an increase in their salaries and appealed to them to continue to support and collaborate with the Ministry to achieve its goals.

Providing an overview, the Officer in Charge of the Kogi Field Office, Engineer Muktar Abdurahim, informed the Minister that the office has 37 staff members, consisting of 25 permanent and 12 casual workers.

He disclosed that Kogi State has 16 Federal Government roads spanning a total of 1,263 kilometres, emphasising that the 2024 nationwide flood did not affect any roads in the state.

Abdurahim revealed that out of six roads under construction in the state, five have been completed, while one is at 60 per cent completion.
He informed the Minister that they are facing challenges, including insecurity and hyperinflation affecting the cost of construction materials, among others.

Also speaking, the Director of North Central Zone I, Engr. Omotayo Awodun, praised the Federal Government’s commitment to road infrastructure and commended the Minister’s innovative leadership, highlighting new techniques and stricter supervision being implemented across the country.