The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goroyo, stated on Monday that the Nigerian government would need to allocate about N880 billion to maintain the federal road network nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Chukwuemeka Abbasi, revealed that the framework for deducting the road user charge from petrol and diesel prices has never been enforced by the now-defunct Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Authority, currently operating as the Nigeria Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Both officials made these remarks in Abuja during an investigative hearing held by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the implementation and remittance of the five per cent user charge designated for road maintenance under FERMA.
Speaking at the event, Goroyo said, “FERMA requires an estimated ₦880bn annually for optimal road conditions. Budgetary allocations have consistently fallen short—N76.3bn in 2023, N103.3bn in 2024, while N168.9bn was budgeted for 2025.
“Though these figures show gradual increases, they remain far below the necessary threshold for sustainable road maintenance. This persistent funding gap has forced FERMA into a reactive mode of maintenance rather than a preventive approach.
“The consequences of this are glaring — deteriorating road conditions, increased repair costs, and prolonged disruptions for commuters and businesses alike. A proactive strategy, backed by adequate funding, is essential to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient roadways nationwide.
“Thus, the diligent implementation and timely remittance of the 5% user charge are paramount. This dedicated funding stream offers a viable solution to bridge the financial gap, providing consistent resources to address Nigeria’s infrastructure needs without over-reliance on annual budget appropriations.”
He added that inadequate funding has been the major bane of the nation’s road infrastructure, stressing that even though the user charge was supposed to address the gap, the agency and the Ministry have not been able to access it.
