The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has launched Operation Safeguard The Road (OSGR) along the Aba-Azumini road corridor linking Abia and Akwa Ibom States in efforts to enhance road safety and promote youths empowerment.
The initiative was flagged off by the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer, Abia State, Okafor Festus, who explained that the programme is tailored to improve road conditions, reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs, and provide temporary employment for young people below age 45 in surrounding communities.
Operation Safeguard The Road, an initiative of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, marks a significant step in reinforcing and maintaining Nigeria’s road network while offering a social safety net that directly benefits local communities and contributes to national development.
Beyond enhancing road safety, operation safeguard the road initiative which has key components of Vegetation control for improved road visibility, drainage management to mitigate flooding, minor road repairs, including pothole patching, hands-on training in road maintenance operations, and stipend payments to participants for the duration of the programme, is also aimed at fostering community ownership and discouraging vandalism of road infrastructure.
Participants appreciated the efforts of the Agency towards ensuring the safety of commuters while also engaging the youths on road maintenance skills.
Operation Safeguard the Road, builds on previous successful intervention work carried out by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, such as the Stakeholders Assisted Rights of Way Maintenance Implementation Programme (SHAROW-MIP) and the Stakeholders Assisted Rights of Way Economic Sustainability Programme. This underscores FERMA’s commitment to inclusive, community-driven road maintenance.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
