By our correspondent
The Ad-hoc Committee of the Nigerian on the abandonment of the awarded Calabar and other South-south federal roads has summoned the managing director (MD), Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA,) Engr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, and his management team to appear before it and explain the causes of the deplorable state of the roads.
Chairman of the committee Hon. Billy Osawaru gave the order while speaking at its maiden meeting on Thursday after a submission by a director in the agency, Usman Mohammed, who represented the managing director.
Members of the adhoc committee had asked the director on the mandate of the agency, the status of the contract and demanded list of companies they have blacklisted regarding the project, but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.
The FERMA director said, “The agency had awarded a total of 158 projects in Cross River State. From the year 2010 to 2025, a total contract sum of N16,922,442,940.21 billion was approved. The status of the projects document has been submitted to the committee”.
The committee therefore resolved that the FERMA MD must appear in person to explain and give the needed documents to the Committee.
In his address earlier, chairman of the committee Hon. Billy Osawaru said the House is committed to ensure accountability, transparency, and good governance in public infrastructure delivery.
He lamented that, the state of federal roads leading in and out of Calabar has over the years become a matter of grave national concern.
He said, “These roads are not just arteries of transportation; they are the very lifelines of commerce, social interaction, and economic development for millions of Nigerians.
“They connect communities, support the movement of goods and services, promote regional integration, and sustain the federal government’s vision of balanced infrastructural growth across the nation.
“It is therefore disheartening that despite several years of budgetary allocations and assurances, many of these road projects remain abandoned, incomplete, or in deplorable condition.
“This state of affairs has imposed untold hardship on citizens, crippled business activities, isolated communities, and eroded public confidence in government commitments.
“It is for these reasons that this Ad-Hoc Committee was constituted—to examine the root causes of these failures, to identify the actors and systemic gaps responsible, and to recommend corrective measures that will ensure such situations do not persist”.
Hon. Osawaru noted that the committee was not to apportion blame, but to unearth the truth, demand transparency where opacity has thrived, and to ensure that public funds appropriated for the benefit of the people are judiciously applied.
The lawmaker added, “In doing so, we recognise that our success depends largely on the sincerity and cooperation of all members in this committee. I therefore urge us to approach this investigation with openness and a shared sense of responsibility.
“The information to be provided will be critical in enabling the committee to present a comprehensive and credible report to the House and, by extension, to the Nigerian people.
“It is important to acknowledge that this investigation will not be without challenges. The committee may be faced with delays in receiving relevant documents, may be confronted with conflicting data regarding project execution, and may observe instances of overlapping responsibilities among implementing agencies.
“In some cases, logistical difficulties in accessing project sites may further slowed our verification process. Yet, despite these expected obstacles, our resolve will remains firm.”
He further stated that the committee would pursue the assignment to its logical conclusion in fairness, integrity, and national interest.
The committee chairman noted, “What we seek ultimately is a new standard of accountability in public works administration—one where projects are not just awarded, but completed; where funds are not merely allocated, but prudently utilised; and where government presence is felt not in contracts on paper, but in roads that are motorable, durable, and beneficial to the people. The people of Cross River State and the entire South-south region deserve nothing less.
“As we commence this session, I wish to emphasise that this is not an adversarial process. It is a collaborative effort between the legislature, the executive agencies, and all stakeholders involved.
“Our shared objective is to identify the problems, agree on practical solutions, and restore confidence in our collective ability to deliver on the promises of governance.
“On behalf of the committee, I extend my deep appreciation to all who have honoured our invitation. Your presence today is a demonstration of your commitment to national development and your willingness to work together for the good of the people.
“Let us engage with honesty, clarity, and patriotism, so that in the end history would record that at this moment, we acted decisively in the interest of accountability and progress.”