Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has called on the National Assembly to increase funding for the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to enhance the condition of federal roads across Nigeria.
Speaking during a visit by members of the House of Representatives Committee on FERMA to the Government House in Dutse, the governor emphasized that inadequate funding has stalled the rehabilitation of key federal roads in the state.
He noted, “We are appealing for more financial support for FERMA. Effective road maintenance is central to national development, and current allocations are insufficient to meet the scale of work required.”
Namadi identified several deteriorating roads in Jigawa, including the Gumel–Megatari, Birnin Kudu–Gwaram, and Kafin Hausa–Kwanar Liman–Hadejia routes. According to him, these road conditions not only hinder economic activities but also pose safety risks to commuters.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, he revealed that 25 out of 26 inherited road projects—spanning 330 kilometers—had been completed as of December last year. He added that 47 new projects covering 970 kilometers are underway to improve mobility and stimulate economic growth.
Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA, Hon. Aderemi Abbas Oseni, praised the state government for its road development efforts and commended Namadi’s leadership.
“From what we’ve seen, Jigawa is setting a good example in infrastructure delivery. The governor has demonstrated commendable commitment and resource management,” Oseni said.
He added that the committee’s visit aimed to assess the status of federal roads in the state and evaluate progress on awarded contracts in line with the 2024/2025 budget. He assured that Jigawa’s road concerns would be factored into the 2026 federal appropriation to help close funding gaps at FERMA.
