In an effort to arrest Nigeria’s deteriorating road, the Senate  has on Wednesday  concurred with the House of Representatives on Road Bill  which was earlier passed by the House Rep in December 2019.

The Bill,  which was concurred  by both the senate and house of representatives was  sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu and Hon. Ossai Nicholas in the House was sponsored in the Senate by the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Yahaya Abubakar for concurrence and passage in line with legislative traditions.

Stating that 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.

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Stressing that when established, the agency is expected to facilitate Private Sector participation in the development, 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.

Noting that it will 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, etc.

Meanwhile, the complementing bill – Federal Roads Fund (Establishment) Bill – also sponsored by Hon. Okechukwu and Hon. Nicolas in the House of Representatives was passed by the Senate on Tuesday.

It can  be  recalled that the two Bills were passed by the 8th National Assembly as remedy for the broken-down road infrastructure in Nigeria, but were not assented by President Muhammadu Buhari, who raised some concerns.