FG Begins Repairs On Kano Eastern Bypass To Ease Traffic Congestion

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced repair works on the 13-kilometre Kano Eastern Bypass as part of efforts to improve traffic flow and preserve the strategic federal highway.

Speaking during an inspection of the project in Kano on Saturday, the Supervising Engineer, Sarfil Umar, said the maintenance work is being executed through direct labour, with about 70 FERMA personnel and other engaged workers deployed to the site.

According to Umar, the bypass is a key transport corridor linking the Maiduguri Road axis with Katsina and Kaduna through Kano’s eastern route, serving as an important alternative for motorists seeking to avoid congestion within the metropolis.

He explained that the intervention would not only ease traffic but also extend the lifespan of the road by preventing rain-induced pavement damage, reducing future rehabilitation costs and lowering vehicle operating expenses for commuters and commercial transport operators.

The engineer noted that the bypass plays a vital role in regional trade, as it is widely used by trucks transporting agricultural produce, livestock, petroleum products and manufactured goods between Kano and neighbouring states.
Umar disclosed that the maintenance project, which commenced on July 23, is expected to be completed within two weeks.

He said the scope of work includes pothole patching, desilting drainage channels, clearing refuse and other obstructions from drains, as well as repairing damaged street lighting poles along the dual carriageway.

According to him, the repairs became necessary due to the rainy season, stressing that blocked drainage systems expose road pavements to prolonged water retention, a major cause of pavement deterioration on federal highways.

“Our priority is to restore damaged sections of the road, reopen drainage channels and improve safety for road users,” Umar said.

He also urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels, warning that blocked drains increase the risk of flooding and undermine government investments in road infrastructure.

Also speaking, FERMA’s Kano State Coordinator, Bashir Mohammed Isma, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to preserving federal roads through routine maintenance to prevent extensive structural failures.

He added that restoring the carriageway and ensuring effective drainage would improve road safety, while the repair of damaged street lighting poles would enhance night-time visibility and security, particularly for heavy-duty truck operators that frequently use the corridor.