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Umahi inaugurates FERMA Board, challenges members on road infrastructure needs
Engr. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has charged the newly inaugurated members of Governing Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency ( FERMA) to brace up to the challenges of road infrastructure maintenance facing the country and show unwavering commitment to the road maintenance programmes of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bols Tinubu.
Umahi gave this charge during the inauguration of the FERMA Governing Board at the Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Works, Headquarters. Mabushi, Abuja on 21st December, 2023.
A statement Thursday by Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, has it that Umahi thanked the President for appointing men of proven integrity and ability into the FERMA Board and for approving the 2023 Supplementary Budget which provides landmark interventions on the Federal roads.
He said road infrastructure was critical to the socio-economic development of our nation noting that the critical sectors that drive economic growth rely greatly on road infrastructure development.
“Let me first congratulate the nominees of Mr. President to the FERMA board and to express my gratitude deeply to Mr. President who has found you worthy to do this job. We have a very critical situation with our roads all over the country. and for me, the number one thing Nigerians needed like yesterday is road. Road is everything. If we fix our roads today, we will bring down inflation in this country, because bad road is affecting every aspect of our economic activities.,” the Minister said.
He maintained that the enhanced budgetary provision for road infrastructure under our dear President shows his commitment in changing the narrative of our road infrastructure.
“This underscores the fact that Mr. President understands the plight of our people as far as our road infrastructure is concerned, he’s doing everything within the budget and outside the budget to fix our roads. And I want to assure Nigerians on behalf of Mr. President that our hopes are renewed in tackling our road infrastructure decays,” stated Umahi.
It would be recalled that in compliance with section 3 of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) Amendment Act 2007, the President had on 13th October, 2023 approved the appointment of the following members of the Governing Board of FERMA and they had been confirmed by the Senate:
Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi – Managing Director, Engr. lbi Terna Manasseh – Member, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala – Member, Sen. Timothy Aduda – Member
Babatunde Daramola – Member
Hon. Preye Oseke Member
Aminu Adamu Papa – Member
Engr. Abubakar Bappa – Member
ACM Shehu Mohammed – Member
Yusuf Lawal Othman – Member
Earlier the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mahmuda Mamman Mamman, described the newly appointed members of FERMA board as people of proven competence and experience and expressed hope that they would perform in their new assignment.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly constituted board, the Managing Director of FERMA Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi, thanked the President for finding them worthy to be appointed as board members of FERMA and pledged to discharge their responsibilities with the fear of God and align to the policy of the Federal Minister of Works and also to the mandate of FERMA.
He expressed the commitment of FERMA towards making a visible difference on the road condition and the travel experience of commuters in the country.
Myesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has sacked the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, FCT-IRS, Mr Michael Ango, of his duties.
The announcement was contained in a statement late Friday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
The statement added that the decision takes immediate effect.
Olayinka said the minister directed the most senior official of the FCT-IRS to immediately assume leadership of the agency
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has sacked the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, Mr Michael Ango,” he stated.
He added that “the most senior official of the FCT-IRS has been directed to take over the running of the revenue agency with immediate effect.”
The statement did not provide reasons for the removal.
15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Amaewhule disclosed the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributing their defection to what he called a “clear division” within the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Central Bank of Nigeria,has rolled out a new framework ito expedite handling of fraud accusations and refund victims.
Customers must report suspected fraudulent transactions within 72 hours under this draft guideline, and financial institutions have 16 working days to look into the matter and repay money.
The action comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in banking sector fraud.
According to data from the Financial Institutions Training Center, losses in the first quarter of 2025 increased to ₦3.29 billion, a startling 603 percent increase over the previous year. In the same time frame, reported cases also increased to 12,347.
The November 26, 2025, proposed regulations seek to improve bank accountability, expedite reimbursements, and boost prevention.
Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department Rita Sike signed the circular, which describes stricter regulations intended to prevent fraud before it occurs.
The apex bank’s ongoing fight against financial fraud has advanced with the adoption of this guidance. To enhance cooperation between operators, it established the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum in 2011.
It directed banks to establish specialized fraud bureaus four years later. By requiring BVN or NIN for account opening, it reinforced Know Your Customer checks in 2023.
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