FERMA: 286 Projects Completed, 22,800 Jobs Created in 12 Months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) yesterday said it had executed 286 projects in the last 12 months, mostly under its current Managing Director, Chukwuemeka Agbasi.
In a statement by the Director of Information, Maryam Sanusi, the interventionist agency stressed that the various strategic initiatives were part of the agency’s efforts to support President Bola Tinubu‘s vision of a more connected and prosperous Nigeria.

“Under the leadership of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Agbasi, FERMA has completed 286 capital, recurrent, and direct labour projects across the six geopolitical zones.
“Approximately 22,800 direct and indirect jobs were created which has improved the quality of lives of the benefiting youths along the road corridors and communities where the agency worked,” the statement added.

The projects, from August 2023 till date, FERMA said, fall within the scope of its mandate and aim to enhance the economic wellbeing of Nigerians, promote their interests locally and internationally, and ensure safer driving experiences for all Nigerians.

“Our primary goal is to maintain and improve the quality of federal roads across Nigeria, thereby contributing to national development and economic growth. We are dedicated to supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by delivering on our mandate effectively and transparently,” Agbasi was quoted as saying.
The scope of work includes: Patching of potholes to ensure smoother and safer driving experiences, pavement strengthening to extend their lifespan and improve their load-bearing capacity, repairs of failed sections of roads that had deteriorated to restore their functionality as well as limited rehabilitation works to improve road conditions.

Also, it said that bridge and culvert construction to enhance connectivity and prevent flooding and general and regular maintenance to keep roads in optimal condition were carried out.
“These projects reflect the agency’s commitment to supporting the President’s agenda by improving the nation’s infrastructure, thereby fostering economic growth and development.

“We urge all Nigerians to be patient and support the present administration’s efforts in the road sector development. FERMA remains dedicated to transparency and accountability in all our operations, and we will continue to update the public on our progress, aspirations and challenges,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, FERMA has said it commenced ‘Operation Free our Roads’ initiative nationwide,  a joint initiative between the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA as part of government’s efforts to fix the roads, especially during the rainy season.
The projects executed under the different interventions of the agency’s programmes, according to the Managing Director, cut across the six geopolitical zones.