From Idu Jude Abuja
The Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi has said that the agency will henceforth collaborate with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for infrastructural development and the development of new models that will improve the value and serviceability of Nigeria’s roads.
Engr Agbasi, said this during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s Headquarters by delegations from ICRC led by its Director General Mike Ohiani over the weekend.
FERMA MD further pointed out that collaborating with ICRC is a timely development and would be of great advantage to FERMA considering the constant call for shrinking government revenues where agencies such as FERMA are asked to do more with less which leads to exploring models that can help maximize the utility of road assets available in Nigeria.
Engr Agbasi clarified that “Building roads are probably the easy part. But getting value from the road, over fifteen years operational maintenance is where issues lie and this is where ICRC helps in enhancing asset management using data to plan, program and execute road works with budgetary shortfalls.”
He added that FERMA, complying with ICRC regulations will consider having different standards of roads with different Key Performance Indicators (KPI) where roads would be constructed on different standards depending on the traffic volumes which will help optimize the resources deployed on road networks.
Engr. Agbasi noted that FERMA and ICRC collaboration is a mutually beneficial partnership in which the Agency will commit its time and resources to bring about a fruitful result that will enable the Nigerian public to enjoy better road infrastructure services.
Speaking earlier, the Director General of ICRC Mike Ohiani explained that the commission seeks partnership with FERMA in areas such as Capacity Building, Technical Support and Assistance, Research Collaboration, Road Maintenance Scorecard, and Standards System.
According to him, exploring these opportunities for partnership between FERMA and ICRC will enhance the capacity of FERMA and ICRC staff, improve road maintenance and effectiveness in infrastructure development as well as strengthen concession management.