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FERMA begins repair of federal road in Abia, asks for patience
Okafor who explained that the repairs and patch works were being executed through direct labour, appealed to commuters in the state to be patient with the agency, assuring that other federal roads in the state will also receive attention based on the availability of resources.
Three federal highways in Abia State are currently undergoing renovations thanks to the efforts of the Federal Road Emergency Road Maintenance Agency, or FERMA.
Aba-Azumini-Akwa Ibom Road, Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia Road, and Uturu-Mile 2-Ebonyi border Road are among the roads that are impacted.
Festus Okafor, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer (FRME) overseeing Abia State, guided reporters around the impacted roads on Thursday and stated that the goal of the action was to restore the state’s federal highways to a stress-free condition.
He said that the action, which is in keeping with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” was intended to relieve stress on state drivers and commuters.
Okafor who explained that the repairs and patch works were being executed through direct labour, appealed to commuters in the state to be patient with the agency, assuring that other federal roads in the state will also receive attention based on the availability of resources.
According to him, the delays in intervention is usually caused by the bureaucracy involved in approvals concerning those that require contracts.
Okafor explained that intervention could come faster through direct labour if the damage were not of large scale.
He said, “The on-going patch works started two weeks ago and it is part of our proactive efforts to avoid further damage on the roads by arresting the situation early.
“We have washouts threatening to cut some roads especially Umuahia-Bende Road. We have done quick intervention through direct labour.
“We have also done some patch works on Aba-Azumini Road, and Uturu-Mile 2 – Ebonyi border Road to keep them motorable and reduce hardship on motorists.
“More federal roads will receive attention as we get more funds. We are waiting for more funds to enable us tackle massive failures on federal roads in the state.”
The FERMA boss commended President Tinubu for mobilising the agency to enable it discharge its duties.
He also thanked the Managing Director of FERMA, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi for his proactivenes which is part of the reason for the successes recorded in the state.
Abia, according to FERMA, has a total of 14 federal roads.
