NASS Praises FERMA’s Performance, Backs ₦230bn Budget for 2026 Road Maintenance
NASS Joint Committee Pledges Support for FERMA’s Capital Rollover Plan
The National Assembly Joint Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commended the agency for its "visible impact" and quality of work despite persistent financial constraints. During the 2026 budget defence session held on Wednesday, lawmakers underscored the strategic necessity of robust road maintenance, describing it as a primary engine for achieving Nigeria’s target of a $1 trillion economy.
The commendation came as the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, presented a proposed budget of ₦229.99 billion for the 2026 fiscal year a significant allocation aimed at rehabilitating the nation’s deteriorating federal road network.
The 2026 Fiscal Proposal: Focus on Continuity
The 2026 proposal reflects a strategic shift toward completing ongoing projects rather than initiating new, unfunded mandates. Of the total ₦229.99 billion, the capital expenditure is pegged at ₦191.47 billion.
A critical component of this plan is the rollover of 70% of ongoing 2025 capital projects. This involves 336 projects comprising 291 road works and 75 non-road projects such as streetlights to ensure that previous investments reach full completion.
Proposed 2026 Budget Breakdown:
Total Appropriation: ₦229.99 billion
Capital Expenditure: ₦191.47 billion
Overhead Costs: ₦33.47 billion
Personnel Costs: ₦5.06 billion
Roads as a Shield Against Food Inflation
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, emphasized that road infrastructure is not merely a matter of transportation but a socio-economic priority. He noted that the failure of federal roads directly impacts the cost of living for Nigerians.
“Roads are the bridge between rural agricultural productivity and urban markets. Once they fail, food inflation rises and our misery index deepens,” Senator Ya’u stated. “Strategic road maintenance is a social investment in security and economic stability.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, lauded the agency’s leadership, led by Managing Director Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, for maintaining standards observed during various oversight visits across the six geopolitical zones.
Addressing the Funding Deficit
Despite the praise, the Minister of State for Works identified inadequate funding as FERMA’s primary bottleneck. While the agency has the technical capacity to manage the nation’s 36,000 kilometres of federal roads, current allocations fall short of the estimated ₦880 billion required annually for optimal maintenance.
To bridge this gap, the government is looking toward the 2025 National Tax Act, which includes a 5% fossil fuel surcharge. Goronyo expressed optimism that FERMA would be integrated into the revenue distribution template under this Act, providing a more sustainable funding stream than annual appropriations alone.
The National Assembly has pledged to interface with the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office to seek an upward review of FERMA’s capital allocation before the final passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill. By harmonising the budget cycle with the dry season construction window, the legislature and the executive aim to accelerate the restoration of critical economic corridors.
