FERMA Engages 70 Youths To Maintain Sokoto Roads, Boost Safety
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has engaged 70 youths from Yabo and Sanyinna communities in Sokoto State under its Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR-II) programme to improve road conditions and enhance motorists’ safety.
The initiative, inaugurated on Wednesday along the Jaredi-Kebbi border road, is aimed at ensuring regular road maintenance, improving accessibility and reducing road accidents through routine maintenance activities.
The Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in Sokoto, Mr Jamilu Sidi, said the programme was designed not only to safeguard federal roads but also to create employment opportunities for youths in communities along the corridor.
According to Sidi, the 70 beneficiaries will participate in a month-long exercise involving the clearing of roadside vegetation and other maintenance activities to ensure safer passage for motorists.
He explained that the engagement was intended to involve indigenes of the benefiting communities directly in protecting road infrastructure and improving safety.
Sidi urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate commitment and diligence throughout the exercise, assuring them that FERMA would maintain adequate supervision to ensure the programme achieved its objectives.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OSGR-II is the second phase of the initiative, following the implementation of its first phase in 2025 along the Sokoto-Niger Republic border road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Also speaking, the Federal Consultant on Works, Malam Kasim Maigwandu, described the programme as a significant intervention towards reducing road accidents and improving safety for motorists.
Maigwandu commended FERMA for the initiative and assured that the Federal Ministry of Works would continue to support efforts towards its successful implementation.
Similarly, the District Head of Sanyinna, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, praised the agency for involving local youths in the road maintenance programme.
He noted that the initiative would help protect lives and property along the road while providing economic opportunities for the participating youths.
