N’Assembly Transmits Road Bills to President Buhari for Assent

N’Assembly Transmits Road Bills to President Buhari for Assent

Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja

The National Assembly has transmitted the Federal Roads  Bill and the National Roads Fund Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent. Findings by THISDAY showed that the bills which were passed by the House in December 2019 and concurred by the Senate in October 2021, were conveyed to the President vide two letters dated November 25 and 30 respectively by the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Amos Olatunde Ojo.

Both Bills were sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) and Hon. Ossai Nicholas (PDP, Delta) in the House of Representatives. The Federal Roads Bill seeks to repeal the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Act (FERMA) Act, Federal Highways Act, and the Control of Advertisement on Federal Highways Act to establish an agency to govern and manage the nation’s federal roads network.

When established, the agency is expected to facilitate Private Sector participation in the de-velopment, financing, maintenance, management, and improvement of roads in Nigeria, including contracts for road concession and other forms of Public Private Partnership as well as set guidelines for the working of PPP contracts.

It is to further bear the responsibilities of planning and managing the development of road safety technical designs and standards, and also seek revenue generating opportunities from the asset itself and its management from lease or license or other fees pertaining to non-vehicular road usages such as advertising, cables, masts, among others.

On the other hand, the Federal Roads Fund (Establishment) Bill, if assented will serve as a repository of revenues accruing from road user related charges and other sources to finance routine and periodic maintenance of the country’s roads.

It will serve as a source of predictable and sustainable funding for road maintenance across Nigeria. it is supplemental to the budget, but frees up resources for the development of new roads.

The worsening state of Nigerian roads have been a major concern to Nigerians and all levels of government alike.

Whereas government has awarded numerous contracts for roads construction and rehabilitation, funding has been a major challenge, resulting in long delays and further dilapidation of the federal roads.

At the 2022 budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, told the House that the Ministry needed N7.4 trillion to complete ongoing 854 highways and bridge projects across the country.

He also revealed that federal government was indebted to contractors to the tune of N420.5 billion in 2021, according to him. Fashola, therefore called for embargo on new road contracts pending the funding and completion of the already awarded road projects. He called for suspension of award of new road contracts.

However, the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders believe that the bill would make a world of difference if assented by the President.

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