The Minister of State for Works, Bello Mohammed Goronyo on Monday justified why the Federal Government would not go back on its decision to toll its highways across the country.
He said tolling of highways was the only visible available alternative that could be used to maintain the highways.
The Minister made the clarification in Magongo, Kogi state after inspecting a highway rehabilitated by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
He said the President Bola Tinubu current government inherited over 36, 000 roads network, adding that some of the roads were already dilapidated.
Goronyo added that budget allocations were not enough to maintain the roads, henceforth the decision to toll the highways.
He urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu's efforts at ensuring good road networks across Nigeria, pointing out the step would contribute to the economic development, reduce crimes including kidnap and generate jobs for youths.
His words" We inherited over 36,000 road networks. Budgets allocations alone are not sufficient for the maintenance of all these roads. Some of the roads are already delapitated. So, we have to come up with road tolling. As you are aware, we have already begun tolling some of these roads including Keffi, Lafia and Akwanga.
"President Tinubu is committed to bequeathed good road network for Nigerians.That is why Iam appealing to all Nigerians to support the President and ensure that we have good road network. This will definitely stimulate our economy; generate employment for our youths and reduce crimes including kidnap."
FERMA Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Chukwuemeka Agbasi had earlier, while addressing the agency staff in lokoja, urged them to put in extra efforts, assuring that the organization placed priority on their welfare.
"We are in Kogi state to look at the quality of work being done here. I urge you all to put in more efforts. All eyes are on us and we must support the Honourable Minister to ensure that President Ahmed Tinubu achieve his goal of good road network in Nigeria. I can assure you the management has not closed its eyes to your welfare and before the end of the year, you will see our efforts."
FERMA Resident Engineer for Kogi state, Muktar Abdulraheem also in his welcome address, highlighted situation of the agency in the state.
He said, "The office has a staff strength of 37 number with 25 permanents staff and 12 casual staff and is headed by the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer (FRME), who oversees the maintenance of sixteen (16) federal roads across the state with combined length of 1263km in Kogi State
"A recent assessment and inventory of the roads shows that Length of road in good condition is 189km, Length of Road in a fair condition is 510km , Length of Road in a poor state is 216km while Length of road in a bad state is 348km.
"Kogi State's unique location makes it a gateway to many states and regions, bordering 10 states and connecting the North, East, South, and West - this strategic position is both a blessing and a responsibility that requires careful nurturing."
No comments:
Post a Comment