The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced a one-month routine and preventive maintenance exercise on the Zuba-Abaji-Kogi State border road in the Federal Capital Territory, engaging 50 participants in the programme.
The maintenance exercise, which began on Monday, August 10, 2026, covers the section of the road between Chainage 46+000 and Chainage 88+000 and is part of the agency’s nationwide road maintenance programme.
The programme was approved by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FERMA, Engr. (Dr.) Chukwuemeka Agbasi, FNSE, FNIHTE, FNICE.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer (FRME) for the FCT, Engr. Martin Chidozie Eze, charged the 50 participants to demonstrate commitment, professionalism and dedication throughout the one-month exercise.
Eze said the success of the programme would depend largely on the commitment of the participants to carrying out their assigned responsibilities effectively.
He urged them to put in their best to ensure that the objectives of the maintenance programme were achieved.
At the end of the ceremony, FERMA distributed working tools, safety kits and reflective jackets to the participants to facilitate effective and safe execution of the maintenance activities.
The agency said the intervention was designed to enhance corporate social responsibility, create employment opportunities for members of the host communities and improve visibility along Nigerian highways.
According to FERMA, the programme would also contribute to reducing road accidents and insecurity along the affected federal road while extending the lifespan of the infrastructure.
The agency noted that engaging local youths in legitimate employment would help discourage them from criminal activities by providing opportunities for productive engagement.
FERMA further said the exercise would help mitigate the impact of torrential rainfall on federal roads through regular maintenance and proper drainage.
Explaining the choice of the Zuba-Abaji-Kogi State border road, the agency described the route as a strategically important transportation corridor linking Northern Nigeria with the southern part of the country.
It said the road facilitates the movement of people, goods and services across different parts of the country, making regular maintenance essential for safe and efficient transportation.
The maintenance works include desilting of the carriageway and hydraulic structures, vegetation control, evacuation of refuse and abandoned vehicles, provision of earth drains and filling and repair of potholes.
FERMA said the intervention was expected to improve road safety and visibility for motorists and other road users along the corridor.
The agency also expressed optimism that the exercise would strengthen its relationship with communities along the route through increased collaboration and partnership.
FERMA said the successful completion of the one-month programme would further demonstrate its commitment to preserving federal road infrastructure and improving the travelling experience of Nigerians across the country.
