The Senate on Thursday declared that Nigeria’s worsening road infrastructure has become a national security concern, urging the Federal Government to significantly increase funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to reverse the deterioration of critical highways across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committees on FERMA and National Security and Intelligence after an oversight visit to the Onyagede-Ogobia Road, a 28-kilometre federal road linking communities off the Otukpo-Oweto Highway in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Abubakar Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), said the inspection revealed that only about two kilometres of the road remained motorable, with the rest severely damaged by erosion, failed drainage systems and structural collapse.
He warned that the road had become virtually inaccessible, disrupting trade, restricting access to healthcare and education, and limiting the ability of security agencies to respond promptly to emergencies.
“The condition of the road has adversely affected socio-economic activities and poses serious security challenges for residents,” Abdullahi told the Senate.
To address the situation, the committee recommended immediate emergency rehabilitation pending full reconstruction estimated at ₦15.06 billion, alongside improved drainage infrastructure, erosion control measures and enhanced security deployment along the corridor.
Beyond the Benue intervention, the committee urged the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of at least two critical federal roads in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, arguing that improved road infrastructure is essential for economic growth, national integration and security.
The recommendations received overwhelming support from lawmakers, although Minority Leader Abba Moro cautioned against turning the debate into a nationwide inventory of failed roads.
While acknowledging that poor roads remain a common challenge across the federation, Moro advised senators seeking intervention in their respective states to sponsor separate motions rather than expand the scope of the report under consideration.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said the Federal Ministry of Works should shift its emphasis from constructing new highways to preserving existing federal roads, many of which have deteriorated into dangerous conditions.
He identified the Benin-Asaba, Benin-Warri and Auchi-Abuja highways as strategic economic corridors requiring immediate rehabilitation, warning that neglecting such roads would continue to undermine commerce, food distribution and security operations.
“We must provide adequate funding for FERMA to maintain these roads, improve security and facilitate the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce across the federation,” Oshiomhole said.
Following debate, the Senate unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations, including the call for increased budgetary allocation to FERMA and periodic oversight to monitor implementation.
The chamber also commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing flagship infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway, describing them as strategic investments expected to strengthen national connectivity and economic development.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed that the Senate’s resolutions be transmitted to the Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA and the relevant committees of the National Assembly for implementation and consideration during future budget cycles.
Earlier, the Senate paused its proceedings to honour two farmers killed in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, observing a minute’s silence after Senator Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) raised the matter under a personal explanation.
Plang said the victims were attacked while trying to prevent cattle from destroying their farms, describing the killings as coordinated and barbaric.
He warned that persistent attacks on farming communities were discouraging agricultural production, displacing rural residents and heightening insecurity in Plateau State.
The Senate commended the Plateau State Police Command for arresting a suspect and impounding cattle allegedly linked to the incident, while praising community leaders for preventing retaliatory violence.
Lawmakers further urged the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary to ensure that all those responsible for the killings are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.