Abuja: The Federal Government has inaugurated Dr. Musa Babayo as the new Chairman of the Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), charging him to deliver on safer roads. The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, while inaugurating the chairman in Abuja, emphasised that the appointment was a strategic move to strengthen the nation’s road maintenance framework.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the appointment reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to safe, reliable, and durable road networks across Nigeria. This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places infrastructure at the heart of national transformation. Minister Goronyo highlighted the importance of FERMA, describing it as the lifeblood of Nigeria’s transport system that connects farms to markets, factories to ports, and communities to opportunities.
Goronyo underlined that delays in road maintenance are not merely inconvenient but costly to the economy and dangerous to the people. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, he said, infrastructure is about unlocking prosperity, reducing poverty, and ensuring access to opportunities for every Nigerian. He expressed confidence in Babayo’s proven track record of transparency, excellence, and national service, noting his history at the Education Trust Fund (ETF) and TETFund, where he strengthened Nigeria’s educational infrastructure.
The minister charged Babayo with the accelerated, proactive maintenance of federal roads, ensuring that highways reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision of modern, resilient infrastructure. He emphasized the need for judicious and transparent use of funds, advocating for strong collaboration with the Ministry of Works, National Assembly, and state governments to complement the broader infrastructure drive.
Goronyo urged the FERMA board to function as a cohesive strategic unit, providing effective oversight and guidance to the management team. He reminded them to uphold their oath and serve with distinction. Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, also stressed the importance of road maintenance, noting that 99 percent of Nigeria’s transportation activities depend on roads.
Dr. Musa Babayo, the new chairman of FERMA, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the opportunity. He highlighted his professional focus on governance, trust fund management, and policy coordination, which guided his previous stewardship at the Education Trust Fund. Babayo committed to making FERMA a Nigerian agency of choice through innovations, significant investments in technology, and sustainable funding, aiming to enhance the agency’s performance and satisfy Nigerian citizens.