The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency
(FERMA) has commenced remedial works on failed portions and potholes along the Abakaliki–Ogoja road, linking Ebonyi State with Cross River State, as part of efforts to improve road safety and facilitate the movement of people and goods across the region.
The agency, while inspecting the ongoing intervention on the strategic corridor, also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for what it described as their commitment to the rehabilitation and maintenance of federal road infrastructure in Ebonyi State.
Speaking during the inspection, the Project Engineer of the FERMA Ebonyi State Field Office, Engineer Kelly Kweko, said the intervention was targeted at restoring sections of the highway that had deteriorated as a result of potholes and other structural failures.
“As you can see, we are on the Abakaliki–Ogoja Cross River State border road. We are fixing the failures and potholes along this road,” Kweko said.
He explained that the intervention involved more than the filling of potholes, noting that the agency was also undertaking vegetation control and rehabilitating critical hydraulic structures, including drainage channels and culverts, to enhance the durability of the road.
According to him, the agency had adopted a systematic approach to the rehabilitation of the failed sections, beginning with the cutting out and proper cleaning of potholes before the application of tack coat and asphalt.
“At this point, we are maintaining the failed sections of the road. We have been able to cut out the potholes, clean them properly, apply tack coat, and lay asphalt. After laying the asphalt, we will compact it,” he said.
Kweko described the Abakaliki–Ogoja corridor as a strategic economic route, stressing that its importance extended beyond Ebonyi and Cross River states because of its role in connecting communities and commercial centres across different geopolitical zones.
“This road is a very important road. It is a Trans-Saharan road that connects the Southeast, South-South, and even the North-Central region,” he said.
The FERMA engineer further noted that the strategic relevance of the highway was amplified by Ebonyi State's agricultural and mineral resources, which require efficient road connectivity to reach markets in neighbouring states.
“Ebonyi is a state that has so many mineral resources, sharp sand, and other agricultural essentials. This road is very strategic because it connects people from here to neighbouring states like Cross River, Benue, and even as far as Taraba State,” Kweko said.
He said the poor condition of critical sections of the road had previously posed challenges to motorists and other road users, stressing that the ongoing intervention would contribute to safer and more efficient transportation along the corridor.
Kweko attributed the federal government's renewed attention to road infrastructure in the state to the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu for extending the initiative to Ebonyi.
“Yes, of course. I want to use this opportunity to thank the President, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for extending and giving us the opportunity to experience his Renewed Hope Agenda in Ebonyi State,” he said.
The FERMA official also commended the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for his role in facilitating interventions on federal roads across the state.
“The Minister of Works is the Minister of all federal roads, and we are maintaining a federal road. We also want to thank him for giving us the opportunity, because if not for him, I believe this initiative would not have come to light,” Kweko said.
He disclosed that the Abakaliki–Ogoja road was not the only federal route that had benefited from the agency's remedial interventions in Ebonyi State.
According to him, FERMA had also carried out works on portions of the Abakaliki–Enugu State border road and the Abakaliki–Afikpo road, particularly sections that had become difficult and potentially hazardous for motorists.
“We have worked on so many other routes in Ebonyi State. There were a lot of failed sections around the flyover, both on top and below it. As a result of our intervention, we have been able to address those failures,” he said.
Kweko specifically cited the Mami Market axis of the Abakaliki–Afikpo road as one of the locations where the agency had intervened following the deterioration of the roadway.
“I can tell you for a fact today that that road is no longer horrible. We have worked on those areas as well,” he said.
The intervention, according to the agency, is expected to improve the structural condition of the affected sections, reduce the risk of accidents associated with potholes and road failures, and facilitate smoother vehicular movement along the Abakaliki–Ogoja corridor.
The rehabilitation is also expected to strengthen the movement of agricultural produce, mineral resources and other commercial goods between Ebonyi, Cross River, Benue and other adjoining states.
The Abakaliki–Ogoja road serves as an important transportation link between the Southeast and South-South regions, making its continued maintenance critical to regional integration, economic activities and the movement of commuters and goods.
The latest intervention therefore represents part of broader efforts by relevant federal authorities to address deteriorating sections of strategic road corridors and sustain the functionality of federal highways across Ebonyi State.
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