A coalition of civil society groups, the Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has staged a protest at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) office, calling for the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of its Managing Director.
Led by CNRR’s National Convener, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the protesters accused the FERMA MD of incompetence, corruption, and severe breaches of his oath of office.
In a formal appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the coalition outlined ten major allegations, including the sale of government contracts for personal gain, financial misconduct, abuse of procurement processes, and money laundering.
“The current state of our federal roads reflects the incompetence at the helm of FERMA. We urge the president to act swiftly,” Abacha stated.
The CNRR expressed concerns that the actions of the FERMA MD not only impede the agency’s mandate to maintain federal roads but also undermine the president’s fight against corruption.
Protesters called on anti-corruption agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to conduct an investigation.
“FERMA is crucial to our nation’s infrastructure, and we cannot allow corruption to compromise it. The president’s anti-corruption stance is at stake here,” the protesters declared.
According to Abacha, these allegations have tarnished the current administration’s reputation and raised questions about the management of public funds in road maintenance.
“We, the members of the Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), urgently appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to suspend, investigate, and possibly prosecute the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency for the following reasons: selling jobs upfront and accepting bribes.
“Additionally, there are allegations of abusing Direct Labor Agencies to execute jobs outside the FERMA Act, gross violations of financial procedures leading to unauthorized payments, money laundering, and unexplained wealth, including lavish stays in hotel suites in Abuja, such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd. The MD is reportedly operating independently and contrary to directives from the parent ministry.
“Furthermore, he has allegedly used fronts to receive bribes and illegal proceeds through GTB and Zenith Bank, sidelining experienced contractors for less qualified cronies. Jobs have also been awarded unrelated to federal roads as stipulated by the FERMA Act, alongside abuses of recognized financial thresholds in procurement and contract awards, including fraudulent splitting of inflated contracts,” Abacha added.
The protesters are demanding immediate action from the presidency, pledging to continue their protests until a thorough investigation is initiated and justice is served.