From Idris Khalid, Bauchi
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has inaugurated its Routine and Preventive Maintenance Work Programme (RPMWP) in Bauchi State, engaging 50 youths from host communities to improve the condition of federal roads while creating temporary employment opportunities.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Bauchi State, Engr. Nanpan Daniel Joroh, said the initiative is aimed at preserving the structural integrity of selected federal road corridors, enhancing road safety and improving motorability.
Represented by the progress officer of the Bauchi field office, Engr. Mahmud Abdulkadir, Joroh explained that the programme would employ 50 participants drawn from communities along the selected road corridors for one month.
He said each participant will receive a stipend of N70,000 at the end of the programme to support their households.
Nanpan said the objectives of the initiative include preserving federal road infrastructure through routine and preventive maintenance, maintaining critical sections of roads to improve travel time, reduce vehicle maintenance costs and minimise road traffic crashes.
According to him, the programme will also eliminate overgrown vegetation to improve visibility and deter security threats, mitigate flooding through the desilting of drainage channels, generate employment for residents of host communities and encourage community participation in protecting federal road infrastructure.
Nanpan said the scope of work includes patching potholes on critical sections of selected roads, clearing grasses, shrubs and unwanted trees along road corridors, as well as desilting lined drains to ensure the free flow of stormwater and reduce flooding, particularly during the rainy season.
He noted that the programme would positively impact motorists by making roads safer and more motorable, while also improving the economic well-being of beneficiaries and their communities.
He urged participants to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, commitment and professionalism.
“Your efforts will contribute significantly to preserving the nation’s road infrastructure and ensuring safer roads for all users,” he said.
Also speaking, the FERMA zonal director, North-East Zone II, Engr. Olayemi Olaniyan Ojom, urged participants to cooperate fully with their supervisors throughout the programme.
Represented by Engr. Malson S. Bubab, Ojom stressed the importance of discipline, obedience and commitment, saying they were essential to the success of the initiative.
“Safe roads benefit everyone. When our roads are safe, motorists, pedestrians and communities are safer. This programme will help reduce the effects of flooding by clearing blocked drains, cutting overgrown grasses and shrubs, and carrying out routine maintenance activities that will improve visibility, enhance road safety and prolong the lifespan of our federal roads,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ogar Domian Felix and Sunita Joseph thanked FERMA for giving them the opportunity to participate in the programme.
They described the initiative as a demonstration of the agency’s commitment to the welfare of host communities through job creation and empowerment.
The beneficiaries pledged to carry out their assigned responsibilities diligently and in line with the directives of their supervisors to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
Also speaking, a community representative, Ali Zindi of anguwar Sarakuna, commended FERMA for selecting the area for the project, expressing confidence that the intervention would improve road conditions and benefit residents.
