KOGI, Nigeria – The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, Monday, explained why the Federal Government will not go back on its decision to toll its highways across the country.
He said tolling of highways was the only visible available alternative that could be used to maintain the highways and keep them in good shape.
The minister made the clarification after inspecting the Ogoni highway in Kogi State, a road rehabilitated by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), reports The Nation.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration inherited over 36,000 road network, adding that some of them were in very bad shapes.
Goronyo said budgetary allocations for road maintenance were not enough, henceforth the decision to toll the highways.
The minister urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s efforts at providing good road networks across Nigeria for several gains.
He said: “We inherited over 36,000 road networks. Budgets allocations alone are not sufficient for the maintenance of all these roads. Some of the roads are already decapitated. So, we had to come up with tolling. As you are aware, we have already begun tolling some of these roads, including Keffi, Lafia, Akwanga (in Nasarawa State).
“President Tinubu is committed to bequeathing good road networks to Nigerians. That is why I am appealing to all Nigerians to support the President and ensure that we have good road networks. These will definitely stimulate our economy, generate employment for our youths and reduce crimes, including kidnapping.”
Addressing FERMA’s workers in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the agency’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, urged them to put in extra efforts.
The managing director assured the workers that the agency placed priority on their welfare.
He said: “We are in Kogi State to look at the quality of work being done here. I urge you all to put in more efforts. All eyes are on us and we must support the honourable minister to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu achieves his goal of good road networks in Nigeria.
“I can assure you the FERMA management has not closed its eyes to your welfare. Before the end of the year, you will see our efforts.”
FERMA’s Resident Engineer in Kogi State, Muktar Abdulraheem, gave a situation report on the activities of the agency in the state.
He said: “The office has a staff strength of 37 people with 25 being permanents workers and 12 being casual workers. It is headed by the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer (FRME) who oversees the maintenance of 16 federal roads across the state with a combined length of 1,263 kilometres in Kogi State.
“A recent assessment and inventory of the roads showed that the length of road in good condition is 189 kilometres; the length of roads in a fair condition is 510 kilometres; the length of roads in a poor state is 216 kilometres, and the length of road in a bad state is 348 kilometres.
“Kogi State’s unique location makes it a gateway to many states and regions, bordering 10 other states and connecting the North, East, South, and West (of the country).
“This strategic position is both a blessing and a responsibility that requires careful nurturing.”
