The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Nigeria has welcomed a strategic partnership proposal from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), that aims to enhance housing projects by ensuring accessible and motorable roads.
The MD/CEO of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo, during a courtesy visit to the FERMA Boss, emphasized the critical role of road infrastructure in the success of housing schemes.
Mr. Ojo emphasized that the partnership is crucial for advancing President Tinubu’s agenda of providing affordable housing.
He appealed to FERMA to prioritize the rehabilitation of roads leading to key FHA estates, especially those in Gwarimpa and Lugbe in Abuja, as well as FESTAC in Lagos.
‘Accessible roads are critical for the success of housing projects, and FERMA’s support will enable FHA to focus on delivering affordable housing to Nigerians, including FERMA staff, who will be among the beneficiaries,’ Ojo remarked.
He also commended FERMA on some well-maintained roads in Ekiti State and som
e Estates in Gwarimpa, FCT, and Kano States respectively.
In response, FERMA MD/CEO, Mr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, stated that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the significance of housing and road infrastructure.
‘Housing and road infrastructure are vital components of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration. Since the roads leading to these projects are federal roads, FERMA will ensure they are motorable,’ he reassured.
Mr. Agbasi stressed that a team will be constituted to assess the scope of works that will be incorporated into the 2025 budget appropriation while seeking alternative funding sources.
He further emphasized the potential for FERMA to leverage the partnership to develop the Agency’s land, expressing optimism for a long-term relationship that will enhance service delivery for all Nigerians.
In a similar development, Engr. Agbasi inaugurated the FERMA Integrated Project Delivery Team (FIPDT), a strategic initiative designe
d to address the challenges of funding infrastructure projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
The newly formed team will concentrate on commercializing FERMA’s idle physical assets, implementing a contract concession strategy, and diversifying income streams for effective asset management.
Both the partnership with FHA and the inauguration of the FIPDT are expected to enhance FERMA’s capacity to fulfill its mandate, ensuring that Nigerians benefit from well-maintained roads and affordable housing in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Source: Voice of Nigeria