The fifth Governing Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency has been inaugurated by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred E. Oyo-Ita, on July 2nd, 2019 at the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), 2nd Floor, Obasanjo Hall, Federal Secretariat Complex Phase II, Abuja .
Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, while inaugurating the Board congratulated the board members on their well-deserved appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari who has bestowed his confidence in them in the onerous task of steering the affairs of FERMA for the next four years and enjoined them to bring to bear their wealth of experience in maximizing the performance of the Agency with respect to its mandate, vision and mission and to also align with the Government’s policy of Ease of Doing Business. She further added “In this regard, you are expected to key into the Present Administration’s aspirations to provide a solid and first-class road infrastructure”.
She said, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) was established by virtue of FERMA (Establishment Act.) Act 2002 and (Amendment) Act. 2007. The Act mandates the Agency to monitor and maintain all Federal roads in the country, evolve strategies for effective and efficient traffic flows, ensure implementation of road safety standards and carry out any other necessary activities as it pertains to the general wellbeing of road users, amongst others.
The Head of the Civil Service further urged the members of the board to do more in terms of Performance, effective and efficient service delivery through adapting international best practices in road maintenance in order to reduce vehicles operating costs, improve travel time and reduce accidents, saying that the Agency has made substantial progress, particularly in the last 20 months in the rehabilitation and maintenance of Federal roads in Nigeria.
She expressed confidence on the board and its ability to bring tremendous transformation on Federal roads networks soonest because of the caliber of professionals on the board.
The Board comprises, the Chairman Mr. Lemo Babatunde Olakunle, a former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in charge of operations, Financial System Surveillance, who is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria as well as a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
The Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Nuruddeen A. Rafindadi, a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Engineering FAEng, has over 35 years of post-graduation experience which included work as professional consultant on engineering and project management of infrastructure projects (in various sectors) for over 25 years.
Other members are; Engr. Buba Silas Abdullahi, from Plateau State, Engr. Shehu Usman Abdullahi, from Jigawa State, Loretta Ngozi Chukwu Aniagolu, from Enugu State. Engr. Mujaidu Stanley Dako from Edo State, Mr. Vincent Oladapo Kolawole, from Ekiti State.
Others include Alh. Dr. Kassim Bataiya, Rep. NARTO, Engr. Chukwu Uzo, Rep. FMPWH, Momoh Anthony, Rep. FMF, Abdulkadir Saidu, Rep. PPPRA, and Peter Osawe, Rep. FRSC.
The Board Chairman, Mr. Lemo Babatunde Olakunle, in his acceptance speech appreciated President Buhari for entrusting them with the responsibility. He also appreciated the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and National Assembly for their roles respectively.
He said despite the limited government resources, the 5th Governing Board will make a difference. “We shall by the grace of God continue to seek the support of the government for a robust budgetary allocation, we will also seek the support of the National Assembly for a generous execution of our duties”.
The chairman added that they knew the importance of good roads network to the development of Nigeria economy and the safety of lives and property, and so assures Nigerians that the entire federal road network which is about 35,000kms will receive attention subject to the limit of resources available.
Maryam M. Sanusi (Mrs.)
Deputy Director (Information)
