By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo,, has directed the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately commence the rehabilitation of the Loko–Oweto–Agatu Road, as an alternative route for commuters. in case of the envisaged Abuja–Lokoja flooding.
The directive was issued during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), according to a statement signed on behalf of the director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works, Queenet Iheoma-Hart.
The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved several critical infrastructure initiatives, including the urgent rehabilitation of other strategic bridges such as the Carter Bridge, third Mainland Bridge, and Donga Bridge in Taraba State to strengthen Nigeria’s economic corridors and improve nationwide access for motorists.
Speaking at the weekend in Abuja, Goronyo underscored the enormous workload of the ministry, citing major routes such as Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano, Sokoto–Zaria, and many others across the North, South, East, and West.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “the people’s president”, and lauded his inclusive leadership and unwavering prioritisation of infrastructure as a “key enabler of growth and development” under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted ongoing interventions, particularly the legacy projects, including Lagos–Sokoto, Lagos–Badagry, Lagos–Calabar, Ebonyi–Nasarawa–Abuja, and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe
Trans-Sahara Route, stressing that no state has been left without road maintenance or construction under the current administration.
He also applauded the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, for bringing engineering excellence and dedication to the ministry’s projects.
Reaffirming the ministry’s determination to work tirelessly in delivering modern, safe, and durable infrastructure for all Nigerians, in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Goronyo acknowledged the need for public re-orientation on road usage and enjoined the leaderships of the two associations on dedication, accountability and selfless service to the masses.
“Public office is a burden, and that burden must be discharged with full accountability. There is no time for comfort zones, you must work day and night to deliver on your mandate. This is not a position for enjoyment or status, but for tireless service to Nigerians,” Goronyo stated.
Speaking, the MD/CEO of FERMA, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, outlined the agency’s core focus namely; management of the road network with priority on economic corridors and addressing issues such as vandalism and overuse; and data collection, updating Nigeria’s road corridor map with traffic statistics to guide maintenance planning.
This, according to Agbasi, was supported by a technical working group tasked with preparing a draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The President, NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, praised President Tinubu’s initiative on the delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, 5 units of 50-seater buses, 20 units of 14-seater buses, and 50 units of 50 -seater buses, which have collectively reduced transportation costs for NARTO operations by over 30%.
He also remarked the impact of the Ministry’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in enforcing axle load limits, revealing that, effective from 1st October, no truck will be allowed to load more than 45,000 litres, a move expected to reduce road damage and extend infrastructure lifespan.
Similarly, IPMAN President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, pledged full support for the Mmnistry, stating that “even a blind man can see this government is doing its best to keep Nigerian roads in order. We stand fully behind your work”.