News Investigators/ The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in Kebbi, has commenced Operation Safeguard the Road exercise in Kebbi to ensure federal highways in the state are safer and more accessible.
The FERMA Engineer In-charge of the agency in the state, Rilwanu Usman-Zagga, disclosed this at the flag-off of the exercise on Thursday in Argungu, Argungu Local Government Area.
Mr Usman-Zagga said the initiative was designed to enhance road safety, improve access and provide job opportunities for unemployed youths.
“The aim of the operation is to make our roads safer and more accessible, while also creating jobs for our teeming unemployed youths,” Usman-Zagga said.
He explained that more than 100 youths had been engaged in essential road maintenance activities such as vegetation control, drainage clearance and minor road repairs.
Mr Usman-Zagga commended the Managing Director of FERMA, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, for his determination to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of transformation in the country.
He also reiterated the commitment of FERMA to making all federal roads in the state and even beyond pothole-free, and motorable all year round within the limit of available resources.
One of the benefiting youths at Dagere community in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Musa Garba, expressed appreciation to the agency for engaging them in the exercise, saying it would provide them with a source of livelihood.
“I am grateful for this opportunity; it will help me cater for my family while also contributing to safer roads,” he said.
Similarly, a cross-section of some motorists plying the Argungu-Birnin Kebbi and Birnin Kebbi-Jega roads, commended the agency for the intervention.
Malam Bello Abdullahi, a motorist, noted that the exercise would reduce accidents and make the roads more comfortable for travelers.
He commended the federal government and FERMA for ensuring execution of quality projects and road maintenance in the state.
NAN
