Senate Orders Rehabilitation of 74 Federal Roads Nationwide

On Thursday, the Senate passed a resolution for the emergency rehabilitation of 74 critical federal roads and requested increased funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). This decision was based on a report from the Joint Senate Committees on FERMA and National Security and Intelligence regarding the Onyagede-Ogobia road in Ohimini Local Government Area, where only 2km of the 28km road remains motorable due to severe structural failures, erosion, and poor drainage.

The estimated cost for the road's rehabilitation is N15.06 billion. The Senate also adopted recommendations to rehabilitate two critical federal roads in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Senators from Kogi, Lagos, and Bayelsa States supported the report, while Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro cautioned against expanding the debate. Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged prioritization of existing highways' maintenance.

The Senate commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing projects and directed that the report be sent to relevant ministries for implementation.