The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution calling for adequate funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to accelerate the rehabilitation of critical roads across the country.

The resolution followed the consideration of the report by the Senate Committees on FERMA and National Security and Intelligence on the rehabilitation of the Onyagede–Ogobia Road, off the Otukpo–Oweto Highway in the Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

The report was presented by the committees, chaired by Ya’u Sahabi Alhaji (Zamfara North) and Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

Presenting the report, the chairman of the joint committee, Mr Abdullahi, said only two kilometres of the 28-kilometre road remained motorable after inspection.

Mr Abdullahi said severe structural failure, erosion, and poor drainage had rendered most sections impassable, disrupting transportation, economic activities, healthcare access, education and security operations.

He recommended immediate emergency rehabilitation pending full reconstruction at an estimated cost of N15.06 billion, alongside improved drainage, erosion control measures and stronger security presence.

The committee also recommended rehabilitating two critical federal roads in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to improve connectivity, safety and economic development.

In their contributions, senators from Kogi, Lagos and Bayelsa supported the report, urging prompt rehabilitation of failed federal roads in their states.

Senate minority leader, Abba Moro, however, urged lawmakers to restrict debate to the committee’s report and advised senators to present separate motions addressing roads in their constituencies.

In his contribution, Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritise rehabilitation of existing highways before embarking on construction of new federal roads.

Mr Oshiomhole decried the deplorable condition of the Benin-Asaba, Benin-Warri and Auchi-Abuja highways, describing them as critical national corridors requiring immediate government intervention and balanced infrastructure planning.

He urged increased budgetary allocation for FERMA, stressing that sustained maintenance of existing highways remained essential for national security, economic growth and seamless movement.

“The Federal Ministry of Works must be properly guided. While many existing federal roads have deteriorated beyond acceptable standards, attention is being shifted to constructing new roads.

“Rehabilitation and maintenance of critical highways should take priority because they remain the major economic lifelines connecting different parts of the country.

“The Benin-Asaba, Benin-Warri and Auchi-Abuja roads are strategic national corridors that require urgent intervention. We must provide adequate funding for FERMA to maintain these roads, improve security and facilitate the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce across the federation,” Mr Oshiomhole said.

The Senate adopted all committee recommendations, including periodic legislative oversight, and increased funding for FERMA.

The Senate also commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing federal road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway, describing them as transformative.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that copies of the report be forwarded to relevant ministries, FERMA and appropriation committees for implementation and budgetary consideration.

Earlier, Diket Plang (Plateau Central), through a personal explanation under Order 42, drew the Senate’s attention to the killing of two farmers in Pankshin Local Government Area.

Mr Plang said the two victims were attacked while protecting their farmlands from destruction by grazing cattle in Plateau.

He described the attacks as coordinated and barbaric, saying that persistent violence had instilled fear among residents, preventing many farmers from cultivating their lands.

The senator commended the Nigeria Police Force, Plateau command, for arresting a suspect and impounding cattle.

He also praised community leaders for preventing reprisals following the unfortunate incident.

The Senate thereafter observed a minute’s silence for the victims and urged police and judicial authorities to ensure the perpetrators were prosecuted.

(NAN)