The Senate has passed the Federal Road Authority Bill for second reading after arguments were canvassed in support of the Bill at its debate on Wednesday, 12th October 2016. Leading the debate, Sen. Kabiru Gaya (APC:Kano) said the Bill seeks to repeal the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Establishment) Act 2002 (as amended), thereby scrapping the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and replacing it with the Federal Road Authority. The bill further seeks to promote the management of the federal roads network and the operation of the road sector in Nigeria. Other benefits of the bill enumerated include; developing competitive markets by promoting an enabling environment for private sector participation in the financing, maintenance and improvement of roads in the country. He also emphasized the Bill’s relevance in providing for the safe transportation of motorists and road users who account for over 49% of cargo traffic use and described the proposed road reforms as a means of overcoming Nigeria’s transport challenges by providing solutions to existing problems. Finally, he urged lawmakers to pass the bill, as it would enable the sustenance of roads across Nigeria.
Supporting the bill‘s passage, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (PDP:Enugu) said it is impossible to maintain roads without concessions and called for a repeal of laws inhibiting concessions to encourage private sector participation. Sen. Mustapha Bukar (APC:Katsina) also mentioned that the eventual passage of the Bill would increase investors confidence, as it would accord the Federal Roads Authority with a legal personality status empowering it to sue and be sued under the law. Sen. Barnabas Gemade (APC:Benue) also stressed that it is international practice for road users to pay for road usage and apply such funds for road maintenance.
Although the Bill has been referred to the Committee on Works who are to report their findings in three (3) weeks, it is noteworthy that the House of Representatives rejected similar arguments that were raised in a motion titled ‘‘Call for Re-introduction of Tollgates on Federal Roads to Enhance Road Maintenance and Construction’’ last month.
