Reps express satisfaction with FERMA performance in North West

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has expressed satisfaction with the Agency’s road maintenance and intervention programmes in the North – West geopolitical zone.
 
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Sani Ibrahim Ruwan Dorowa, who led a seven member team on an oversight inspection of FERMA projects in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States told journalists on Monday, 16th of December, 2013 at the conclusion of the tour in Katsina State that FERMA has performed satisfactorily in the zone. According to him, the Agency’s continuous maintenance of the Abuja – Kaduna – Kano dual carriageway as well as other roads in the zone has ensured that they are in very good condition.
 
While pledging the House’s support for the Agency in the New Year, Sani Ibrahim averred that the Committee hopes the Agency will be able to replicate the same standard of maintenance and intervention on all roads in other geopolitical zones in the country. This, he said will give Nigerians and the economy, the quality road infrastructure necessary for running a vibrant economy.
 
While mentioning some of the projects toured by the Committee, Ibrahim identified intervention measures and projects which FERMA has engaged to salvage several washouts, including the construction of three bridges along the Kano – Katsina Road, replacement of guardrails and expansion joints on the Challawa and Tamburawa bridges along the Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road among others; saying these have saved loss of lives previously experienced on the bridges through frequent accidents.
 
He hinted that even though FERMA has always provided the Committee with reports and updates on its activities, the Committee takes it upon itself to periodically confirm the reports by physically inspecting projects. He emphasized that this will ensure that projects appropriated are executed in conformity with laid down standards.
 
While insisting that the Committee’s oversight functions are limited to Ministries, Departments and Agencies operating under the national appropriation, he appealed to contractors to execute projects with professionalism and commitment to national development efforts. He enjoined them to timely mobilize and complete such projects according to specification so as to fetch the social and economic benefits for which they are awarded.
 
 According to him, such partnerships between government and the private sector has helped other countries to develop and Nigerians are to imbibe such best practices.