By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has described the commissioning of construction equipment donated by the government of Japan to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) as a strategic milestone in the nation’s pursuit of sustainable infrastructure renewal.
The commissioning ceremony on 1st August 2025 in Abuja brought together key stakeholders and distinguished figures from both the public and private sectors. Those in attendance included the Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Sahabi Yau; the Chairman, House Committee on FERMA, Engr Remi Oseni; the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Suzuki Hideo.
Others were the Managing Director of FERMA, Engr Emeka Agbasi; members of the Board of FERMA, former Managing Directors, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Margret Oguntala, and the programme coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), Engr Michael Oluwagbemi.
Valued at ₦3.6 billion (three billion, six hundred thousand Naira), the donated equipment is expected to transform FERMA’s capacity to maintain and rehabilitate Nigeria’s vast road network. Goronyo emphasised that the donation ushers in a new era of road maintenance, enabling engineers and technicians to deliver faster and more sustainable outcomes. “This generous contribution from Japan brings us closer to our vision of a smoother, safer, and more reliable travel across the country. Roads are the lifeblood of our economy and daily life, and this equipment is a game changer in our ability to utilise and preserve them,” he added.
The Honourable Minister also noted that Nigeria’s extensive road network remains vital to commerce, agriculture, healthcare, and national integration, even as it continues to face significant maintenance challenges.
According to a statement signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Press, and Public Relations in the ministry, Goronyo commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for making infrastructure a top priority and a key driver of economic growth under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We envision a future where travel across Nigeria is seamless, secure, and dependable. This generous donation moves us closer to making that vision a reality,” he stated.
On behalf of the President and the people of Nigeria, Goronyo extended profound gratitude to the government of Japan for its tangible support and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development.
The minister urged the leadership of FERMA and its technical team to ensure that the equipment is put to optimal use, stressing that the equipment is a valuable asset, and its effective deployment would “reflect our commitment to improving the quality of life for all Nigerians”.
He concluded by noting that the commissioning of the equipment signifies more than a ceremonial handover, as it marks the beginning of a new chapter in road maintenance that aligns with Nigeria’s broader vision of infrastructure-driven prosperity.