FERMA Launches Road Repairs in Kebbi Ahead of Yuletide

By Bello Ibrahim 

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State(Series News Online)– The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on Wednesday commenced repair works on major federal roads in Kebbi State, Nigeria, as part of its Operation Connect to Your Destination (OCYD) initiative. The move is aimed at easing travel difficulties and reducing accidents during the festive period.

Flagging off the exercise at Km 1+150 along the Kalgo-Bunza road, FERMA Engineer-in-Charge in the state, Mr. Rilwanu Usman, said the operation was designed to ensure a hitch-free Yuletide travel season.

"The essence of our coming here today is to kick-start Operation Connect to Your Destination 3.0 under the leadership of our Managing Director, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi. This is the third edition of this nationwide operation," Usman said.

He explained that the exercise involves intensive pothole patching, rehabilitation of failed sections, and asphalt overlays to strengthen the road surface. "Anyone familiar with this road knows how dangerous it is, given the high rate of fatal accidents leading to loss of lives and property. Our goal is to avert such tragedies and ensure a hitch-free Yuletide travel season," he added.

Usman noted that FERMA had remained visible across Kebbi, citing the recent restoration of a notorious flooded section along the Argungu-WACOT road. "Even this road linking Bunza to Koko has witnessed significant repairs. During the rainy season, heavy articulated vehicles diverted to this axis after the collapse of the bridge on the Koko road. We intend to restore it fully and keep it motorable," he said.

The representative of the Federal Ministry of Works in the state, Alhaji Malami Aliyu, commended FERMA for the initiative, saying it aligned with the Federal Government's mandate to keep all federal roads serviceable.

"We are working together to protect lives and property through quality road infrastructure. We commend FERMA for this initiative, which complements routine maintenance efforts," Aliyu said.

Motorists interviewed expressed satisfaction with the intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial.

"This is a much-needed intervention," said Alhaji Garba Dan-Malam, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state. "We commend the Federal Government and FERMA's MD for formulating and sustaining the programme for the benefit of motorists and road users nationwide."

A commercial driver, Malam Dauda Alkali, praised FERMA for its consistent commitment to maintaining federal roads in the state. "The way FERMA is working on federal roads in Kebbi is commendable. Their efforts should be emulated by the state government, especially on roads linking Nigeria to Benin and Niger Republics," Alkali said.