As Senate’s visitation is awaited, as FG announces nationwide road repairs: A call for prioritization of Ogbomoso’s failed road
Femi OGUNLANA
Advertisement
It is undoubtedly a relief hearing the announcement by the Federal Government, through its agency, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), that it has launched a major road repair initiative to improve traffic flow across federal highways nationwide.
Codenamed “Operation Connect to Your Destination,” FERMA Managing Director, Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, during the flag off of its Phase 2 in Kano state, outlined the project’s targets, including patching of 18,850 square meters of road surface, rehabilitation of over 12,000 failed sections, complete 2,700 square meters of road overlay, and make 653 kilometers of road motorable.
Advertisement
Agbasi explained, “Operation Connect to Your Destination is designed to enhance journey times and alleviate traffic congestion during the festive period. We recognize that traffic flows increase significantly between the north and south during this time. This program will identify bottlenecks along key routes to facilitate smoother commuter movement.”
Agbasi stresses the agency has strategically mapped out traffic-prone areas, prioritizing them for maintenance to ensure the maximum positive impact on road users, adding that the project is expected to generate over 12,000 jobs, contributing to economic growth.
Related Articles:
- Buhari initiates move on Ogbomoso-Oyo road, as Senate summons Works Minister
- Ogbomoso youth restive: How bad roads exposed waning influence of their politicians, top people
Engr. Sani Abdulkadir, Head of FERMA’s Direct Labour Department, noted that the roadworks are scheduled for completion by mid-December to avoid interruptions during the yuletide period.
This is a welcome development as roads nationwide are in a state of disrepair often triggering the question of why government’s response to it is laid-back. Nonetheless will it be Uhuru this time around because in the past such promises were made even under President Bola Tinubu administration without fulfillment or perhaps failing to make it nationwide initiative?
On that note this is a solemn appeal to FERMA to extend “Operation Connect to Your Destination” to Oyo state particularly the Ogbomoso failed portions of the major trunk A road that connects the northern part of the country to the southwest. The failed portions which is less than 500 metres has unleashed nightmarish experience on the people in recent times. It has never been so bad. Articulated vehicles otherwise known as trailers, tankers, containers transporting goods including perishable food items, petroleum products, manufactured items to and fro the two important regions of the country, face hell within the Ogbomoso metropolis as a result of these failed portions, causing them being stranded for days within the city and triggering provocative gridlock stretching several kilometres in both directions.
Advertisement
Strident appeals have been made to no avail so far. The lawmaker representing Oyo North senatorial district, Fatai Buhari, even called attention to the road on the floor of the house last month which led to a promise to visit the road by the end of October. The visit is yet to be made. Whoever will come in for the people of the community to get FERMA include the road and indeed the whole stretch between Ogbomoso and Oyo in the current initiative to repair roads nationwide will be highly appreciated. Also, completing the abandoned 5km remainder of the new Ibadan – Oyo – Ogbomoso – Ilorin highway will lessen the burden on the old road.
That’s the appeal this time.
