The Managing Director , Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, has assured that adequate provision has been put in place to ensure free potholes on all highways across the country.
Engineer Agbasi gave the assurance on Thursday while inspecting vegetation control measures along Itobe-Ayingba road and reinstatement of a washout portion at kilometer 40 along Ajaokuta – Adogo- Okene in Kogi state.
The Managing Director who was represented by Engineer Bamika Brie, the FERMA zonal coordinator north central 1 comprises of FCT, Kogi and Niger states, said in 2024 budget there is a contract which has been approved to take care of potholes on highways in Kogi state.
He added that the agency has prioritize road rehabilitation in Kogi State being a gateway to the eastern and southern parts of the country , noting that any challenge face by Kogi will have serious impact on other states.
“In 2024 we expect more FERMA activities on major roads across the country especially Kogi State that linked other states because any thing that affect highways in Kogi State will also affect eastern and southern parts of the country and that is why we prioritize work and rehabilitation of roads in the state”
The Managing Director who inspected reinstatement of a washout portion at kilometer 40 along Ajaokuta – Adogo- Okene expressed satisfaction with the level of work going on there by FERMA, noting that the work is being carried out in accordance to the procedure of engineering and commended Engr. Muktar Abdulrahim in charge of FERMA in Kogi for a job well done.
In his remark, Engr. Muktar Abdulrahim explained that the washout that occurred at kilometer 40 Ajaokuta – Adogo – Okene road was due to the collapse of a ring culvert, which was caused by gradual erosion beneath the culvert apron.
He stated that the agency has taken a proactive measures to reinstate the washout and prevent future failures of the culvert.
“We are providing a stepping apron to reduce the intensity of water flow and to mitigate the risk of repetition. We are hoping that before the end of September, 2024 the work will be completed to ease vehicular movement of the road” he said.
Speaking on the Itobe – Anyigba road, the FERMA Engineer in charge of Kogi State, said recently, there have been reports of persistent accidents on the route without any apparent dangerous pothole or failed sections.
According to him, upon conducting a route condition assessment, it was evidently clear that the presence of overgrown vegetation is obstructing clear sight distances on the road, saying to address the challenge, it became essential for the agency to clear the overgrown vegetation.
He noted that at the end of the exercise, the road users would have a clear vision of the road, stressing that the effort would put an end to incessant accidents along the road.
In his remark, Fache Jubrin Zubair an indigene of Ajaokuta local government commended FERMA for taking a proactive measure on the road, saying the bad portion of the road has been a death trap to motorists plying Ajaokuta – Adogo -Okene road.
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