BY LAW IBITOYE
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Ekiti State has attributed the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state to persistent rainfall and inadequate funding.
The State Engineer of FERMA, Engr. Simon Adeniran Adeniyi, disclosed this while addressing journalists in his office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Engr. Adeniyi explained that the current weather condition had made meaningful repair work nearly impossible, as most of the road projects had already been awarded before the rainy season commenced. He noted that the delay being experienced was largely due to technical measures required to ensure durability and quality of the projects.
He assured road users that the Federal Government remained committed to making the roads motorable and safe, but appealed for patience, stressing that the situation would improve once the rains subside.
“The Federal Government is doing everything possible to maintain its roads and make them accessible to users. But as we know, road construction and the rainy season are not friends. It is difficult to achieve anything tangible during this period because whatever is done would collapse,” Adeniyi said.
Clarifying the mandate of FERMA, the engineer explained that while the agency is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining federal roads, the Federal Ministry of Works undertakes major construction and rehabilitation.
He further revealed that some of the federal roads in Ekiti had already been awarded to contractors by the Federal Ministry of Works, adding that FERMA would not intervene in such areas to avoid duplication of contracts.
“Wherever the Federal Ministry of Works is working, it is a no-go area for FERMA,” he stated.
Engr. Adeniyi, however, reaffirmed that FERMA is working tirelessly within its capacity and resources to ensure federal roads in the state are properly maintained once conditions become favorable.