By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, has tasked the Ad-hoc committee investigating the implementation of remittance of 5% user charges for Road Maintenance under Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, Act 2007 to be thorough and ensure that stakeholders comply with the Act.
Abbas, who spoke while declaring open a public hearing at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, said that the Amended FERMA Act 2007 provides that 5% user charge should be from petroleum products designated for road maintenance.
Represented at the hearing by the Minority Leader, Honourable Kingsley Chinda, the speaker equally charged stakeholders at the hearing to be free to make valid contributions that will help guide lawmakers in making laws.
In his welcome address, the Ad-hoc committee chairman, Hon. Francis Oghenero Waive, who doubles as the Chairman Rules and Business in the House pledged to invite all critical stakeholders for their contributions.
He, how ever expressed concern that many agencies are failing to remit the 5% user charges as mandated by the amended Act FERMA Act.
The lawmaker while decrying deplorable state of roads across the country observed that funds are needed to maintain the nation’s deteriorating roads.
Waive, also leverage on the hearing to emphasise his Committee’s readiness to take action against non-compliance by agencies.
In this vein, he said agencies defaulting in the remittance of the 5% charge will face disciplinary measures.
Some stakeholders who spoke during the public hearing commended leadership of the House for organising the hearing, pointing out that the event is very timely in order to provide solid recommendations for ensuring compliance with the law.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Mohammed Goronyo, emphasised President Bola Tinubu government’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens, including investments in road construction and maintenance.
Goronyo, further stated that the 5% user charges was designed to generate approximately N880bn every five years for nationwide road maintenance and management.
He, however noted that the 2024 and 2025 budgets are grossly insufficient to maintain highways and state roads across the country.
Renewed Hope Agenda: Deputy Speaker Applauds Tinubu, Says He’s Achieving Results
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda achievements in economic revitalisation, social welfare, security, and national development.
Kalu, who spoke at the inauguration of over 20,000 new members of the Renewed Hope Partners, RHP, Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
He used the occasion to emphasise that the agenda is not just a slogan but a comprehensive blueprint for Nigeria’s progress.
It would be recalled that the Deputy Speaker recently unveiled the RHP Office in Umuahia, the Abia State capital to essentially propagate the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration.
He said that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has recorded notable achievements, including a 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024, with annual growth rising to 3.40% in 2024 from 2.74% in 2023.
He said that inflation has dropped from 34.6% to 23.71% by May 2025, with food prices declining by over 25% in the first quarter of 2025.
According to him, this administration has also unified the FX market, reduced arbitrage, and boosted investor confidence, stressing that Nigeria’s trade surplus also reached N3.42 trillion ($2.25 billion) in Q4 2024, driven by increased exports.
He said: “Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has implemented bold reforms and policies that are already reshaping Nigeria’s future. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan; it is a comprehensive blueprint for economic revitalisation, social welfare, security, and national development.
“The removal of fuel subsidies has freed up resources for critical sectors,
resulting in a 50% reduction in petrol importation and a doubling of government revenues to over N9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 compared
to the previous year.
“The unification of the FX market has reduced arbitrage, increased
transparency, and boosted investor confidence. Nigeria’s economy
recorded a 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024, with annual growth rising to
3.40% in 2024 from 2.74% in 2023.
Through targeted interventions, inflation has dropped from 34.6% to
23.71% by May 2025, with food prices for staples like rice, maize, and
sorghum declining by over 25% in the first quarter of 2025.
“The launch of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP)
with over N200 billion in funding is set to bring consumer credit to 50% of
Nigeria’s working population by 2030, empowering citizens to access
essential goods and services.
Nigeria achieved a trade surplus of N3.42 trillion ($2.25 billion) in Q4 2024,
driven by increased exports.
“International agencies Fitch and S&P Global upgraded Nigeria to a Stable B outlook, reflecting growing global confidence in our economy.
“In infrastructure, over 260 new road projects worth N208 billion have
commenced, with major works ongoing on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal
Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway. The Renewed Hope
Infrastructure Development Fund supports these transformative projects.
The Renewed Hope City and Estate project also aims to deliver 100,000
housing units nationwide, with special attention to the needs of low and
middle-income Nigerian families”, he said.
Kalu highlighted the establishment of the South East Development Commission, SEDC, saying it’s a long-awaited initiative that marks a new era of inclusion and progress for the region.
The event also featured defection of many members of Young Progressive Party, YPP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as presentations from some heads of federal agencies and parastatals who testified to the positive reforms of the President.
