THE Senate Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on Wednesday screened the newly nominated Board Chairman, Dr. Musa Babayo, expressing confidence that his appointment will reposition the agency to deliver on Nigeria’s urgent road infrastructure needs.
News Point Nigeria reports that during the screening session held at the National Assembly, the Committee commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as a “strategic and deserving nomination,” citing Dr. Babayo’s sterling credentials and vast experience in administration, finance, and infrastructure development.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, underscored the importance of strong and visionary leadership in addressing Nigeria’s worsening road conditions.
“Our nation’s roads are deteriorating rapidly and require immediate, focused, and sustained attention. FERMA must be led by someone with integrity, competence, and passion to change the narrative,” Ya’u said.
Supporting the sentiment, Senator Babangida Hussaini, a member of the committee, lamented the state of Nigeria’s ageing road network.
“The roads we are managing today were constructed between 1970 and 1974. With the right leadership and adequate funding, FERMA can drastically reduce the cost of constructing new roads by rehabilitating and maintaining existing ones,” he stated.
The Committee unanimously praised Dr. Babayo, describing him as “a man of proven integrity, national exposure, and deep understanding of the Nigerian terrain.”
Lawmakers highlighted his impressive résumé, which spans banking, public administration, and national policy formulation. Dr. Babayo previously served as Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and has built a distinguished career as a banker, politician, and businessman.
“He is overqualified for this position. His leadership background, intellectual depth, and national reach give us confidence that he can transform FERMA into a proactive, efficient, and accountable institution,” one of the Senators remarked.
In his remarks, Dr. Musa Babayo expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust reposed in him and to the Senate for its support. He unveiled a bold and forward-looking plan to reposition FERMA as a catalyst for economic growth through road rehabilitation and maintenance.
“To make our roads safe, motorable, and economically impactful, we must engage critical stakeholders across federal, state, and private sectors,” he said.
Dr. Babayo emphasized that FERMA under his leadership will prioritize innovation, sustainable funding, and strategic collaboration to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We will adopt innovative technologies, explore capital market funding, and focus on key economic corridors that drive productivity. The era of reactive maintenance must give way to a proactive strategy that prevents road decay before it happens,” he added.
Dr. Babayo identified Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a cornerstone of his strategy, noting that sustainable funding and institutional partnerships are critical to bridging Nigeria’s vast road infrastructure deficit.
“The success of FERMA will depend on innovation, sustainable funding, and strong institutional partnerships. With your support, I am confident we can deliver measurable progress and motorable milestones Nigerians will be proud of,” he declared.
The Senate Committee assured Dr. Babayo of its full support, pledging close collaboration with the agency to ensure efficient budgetary provisions and oversight.
“We are optimistic that under your leadership, FERMA will fulfill its mandate and contribute meaningfully to the development and safety of Nigeria’s road network,” the committee concluded.
The screening session ended with resounding commendations from lawmakers, who described Babayo’s appointment as a “timely intervention” at a period when Nigeria urgently needs road infrastructure renewal to stimulate economic growth and ease transportation challenges.
