New Works Ministry Scribe Tasks FERMA On Staff Devt, Direct Labour
By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The newly redeployed Permanent Secretary in Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Works, Engr Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso, has assured the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), of his support in delivering her mandate of effectively and efficiently monitoring and maintaining all federal roads across the country.
The new scribe stated this Thursday during a briefing and interactive session with the Managing Director/CEO of FERMA, Engr Emeka Agbasi, in the company of directors and heads of units at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
He assured them that he would work closely with the management of FERMA to give them the sense of belonging, urging them to work within the ambit of the laws, and vowed to protect them if they abide by the public service rules and are diligent in discharging their responsibilities as civil servants.
Engr Olufunso in a statement issued on Thursday by FERMA’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs Maryam Sanusi, reiterated the need for the federal agency to synergise with the ministry to avoid duplication of responsibilities.
He noted that retreats/seminars will be arranged often for staff, especially the engineers to enhance their capacity, adding that public offices need to be digitalised to enhance efficiency and information security.
He cautioned the agency to be weary of troubled spots along the highways, urging them to work closely with the Security Agencies.
According to Engr Olufunso,
the ministry is working on the possibility of alternative sources of funding to mitigate the funding challenges being experienced by the FERMA.
He urged FERMA to do more of direct labour and less of contract to be able to cover more grounds and save government resources.
The Permanent Secretary equally emphasised the need for FERMA to publicise its activities and achievements so that the general public would appreciate the efforts of government in addressing the road challenges.
Earlier in his detailed presentation, the FERMA boss, Engr Emeka Agbasi, enumerated the establishment, mandate, structure, and operational zones of the agency, as well as its strategic objectives, achievements, funding profile, the next steps, and challenges.