By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has agreed to a strategic partnership proposal from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) aimed at improving housing projects by providing accessible and motorable roads.
Managing Director/CEO, FERMA, Engr Chukwuemeka Agbasi who was speaking during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director/CEO, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, stressed the critical role of road infrastructure in the success of housing schemes.
“Housing and road infrastructure are vital components of the Renewed Hope Agenda, and since the roads leading to these projects are federal roads, FERMA will ensure they are motorable,” he said.
Agency on Wednesday 11th September, 2024.
Agbasi disclosed that a team will be constituted to assess the scope of works, adding that it will be incorporated into the 2025 budget appropriation while seeking alternative funding sources.
He further emphasised the potential for FERMA to leverage the partnership to develop the Agency’s land, expressing optimism for a long-term relationship that will enhance service delivery for all Nigerians.
Hon Ojo also commended FERMA for executing quality road maintenance projects linking estates in parts of the country, including Ekiti and Kano States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a related development, Engr Agbasi inaugurated the FERMA Integrated Project Delivery Team (FIPDT) a strategic initiative designed to address the challenges of funding infrastructure projects through Public-Private Partnerships, PPP.
The newly formed team will focus on commercialising FERMA’s idle physical assets, implementing a contract concession strategy, and diversifying income streams to ensure effective asset management, a statement signed and released to the Press by FERMA’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Maryam Sanusi, on Thursday explained.
According Engr Agbasi “the federal government’s limited capacity to fully fund infrastructure projects has made PPPs an essential solution. By leveraging this approach, FERMA can bridge funding gaps, generate new revenue streams, and ensure the efficient delivery of critical infrastructure.”
The ten-member team, being coordinated by Mr Nyihemba Luper Daniel, includes representatives from various disciplines, among whom is Mr. Akwu Okolo from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
They are responsible for driving the success of FERMA’s Maintain-Operate-Transfer (MOT) PPP programme, positioning the Agency for long-term sustainability.