FERMA Begins Maintenance Of Isaga-Abeokuta-Igboora Road

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced routine and preventive maintenance works on the Isaga-Abeokuta-Igboora Road in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Speaking during the flag-off of the exercise on Wednesday, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer for Ogun, Mr Mustapha Yakubu, said the intervention was aimed at improving road safety, enhancing visibility and prolonging the lifespan of the highway.

Yakubu said the maintenance programme was approved by the Managing Director of FERMA, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, adding that the scope of work included vegetation control, desilting of the carriageway and patching of potholes.

According to him, similar maintenance interventions had previously been carried out on the Isaga-Ilaro-Owode-Ado Odo and Abeokuta-Bakatari roads.

He explained that clearing the overgrown vegetation along the corridor would improve visibility for motorists and eliminate potential hideouts that could be exploited by criminals, particularly armed robbers.

Yakubu also said desilting the carriageway and repairing potholes would provide motorists with a smoother driving experience, prevent further deterioration of the road and extend its service life.

“Upon completion of this work, we believe it will improve visibility and enhance the safety of motorists.

“It will also help eliminate hiding places that may be used by criminals to perpetrate criminal activities along this corridor,” he said.

The FERMA official disclosed that 50 youths from communities along the road had been engaged for the exercise under the agency’s youth empowerment programme.

He said the initiative was designed not only to support the maintenance work but also to contribute to efforts to reduce unemployment among youths in communities along the corridor.

A community leader, Chief Adeniji Adeniyi, commended the Federal Government and FERMA for the intervention, noting that deteriorated sections of the road had contributed to several accidents.

Similarly, a trader along the route, Mr Leke Nuga, welcomed the maintenance work, saying that clearing the dense vegetation would help reduce security threats facing residents and traders who often operate until late in the evening.

A commercial driver, Mr Jimoh Aboyade, also expressed optimism that the repairs would reduce vehicle damage and ease the difficulties experienced by motorists travelling along the corridor towards Iseyin.

He urged relevant authorities to sustain regular maintenance of the road to prevent further deterioration.