Japan donates N3.6bn road equipment to Nigeria

The Government of Japan has donated road construction equipment valued at N3.6 billion to Nigeria to support the operations of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

The donation was officially received in Abuja by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, during a ceremony on August 1.

The minister described the equipment as a game changer that will significantly boost road maintenance efforts across the country.

He noted that Nigeria’s extensive road network is crucial to commerce, agriculture, healthcare, and national integration, but has long faced challenges due to poor maintenance.

The new equipment, he said, will enable engineers and technicians to work more efficiently and deliver better results.

In a statement issued by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Works, the minister called on FERMA’s leadership and technical teams to ensure that the equipment is put to optimal use and regarded as a strategic national asset.

The commissioning ceremony brought together key stakeholders from both public and private sectors.

Among those present were the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Senator Sahabi Yau; Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA, Engr. Remi Oseni; Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo; Managing Director of FERMA, Engr. Emeka Agbasi; members of the FERMA board; former managing directors; President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margret Oguntala; and Programme Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi.

Speaking at the event, the minister expressed Nigeria’s gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continued support, adding that the donated equipment will help move the country closer to achieving safer and more reliable road infrastructure.

He emphasized that the effective use of the equipment will reflect the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all Nigerians.