The Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Ebonyi State, has commenced another phase of road maintenance in the state.
Akinyeni Ojo, Federal Road Maintenance Engineer of the agency in the state, while flagging off the maintenance in Abakaliki, the state capital on Thursday described it as one of the numerous programs of Managing Director of the agency in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He disclosed that 50 indigenes of the state would be empowered by the agency during the program to alleviate their sufferings.
Ojo said the program will strengthen the roads and increase their lifespan.
“The name of this particular program is preventive maintenance work program being powered by our Public Works Unit.
“It entails clearing of vegetation, that is vegetation control on the federal highways, de-silting of line drains, patching of dangerous portholes and Nigerians, that’s the people around this area to alleviate poverty.
“The main reason for this program, is to reduce the travelling time of the motorists on the federal highway, and secondly to improve security because when vegetation on the highway is controlled, then the feasibility of the motorists will be perfect and there will be no hiding place for hoodlums to attack the motorists
“And flooding too will reduce because when you de-silt the line drain, it will reduce the flooding will reduce.
“The program will also strengthen the road in general and increase the lifespan of the federal roads in Nigeria.
We are empowering 50 people for a month. About two months ago, we empowered 50 people when we did first phase of the program. So, in this second phase, we will still empower another 50 people.
“This will help in alleviating hunger and poverty in the land which is one of Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President”, he stated.