The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) rehabilitated 3,782.28 kilometres of roads across the country in the last one year, The Nation learnt.
According to the breakdown, 3,698.89 kilometres of the rehabilitated roads were federal and 83.39 kilometres non-federal roads.
Not less than 12,000 direct and indirect job opportunities were created within the period as a result of the rehabilitation projects.
The Director, West Operations, FERMA, Yomi Agboade, assured Nigerians that the agency is determined no road in the country is left unattended to.
Agboade, who spoke during an audience with the Coalition of Civil Society Network, said the target of the Managing Director of the agency, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi is to make all Nigerian roads motorable.
“We want to assure you that we will not relent on our efforts, we will continue to do more and more until all our roads are in safe motorable condition,” Agboade said.
While receiving a presentation from the coalition which staged a solidarity visit to the agency, the Director said: “This is a confirmation that Nigerians all over Nigeria are happy with the work FERMA is presently doing under the leadership of Engr (Dr) Emeka Agbasi.”
The Coordinator of the Network, Mahmud Abubakar, had hailed the Managing Director of the agency, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi for carrying out President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on road infrastructure,
The group, who staged a solidarity demonstration at the FERMA office in Abuja, said the feat speaks to the direction and quality leadership provided by the new management of the agency.
Abubakar said: “If you look at the total distance of federal roads that have been covered by FERMA under his leadership, it is highly commendable. If you look at the distance of the non federal roads as well that have been covered under his leadership, it is also commendable.
“If we as civil society always criticise those that are not doing well in government, we should as well know that it is our duty to appreciate and commend those that are doing perfectly well. And when we talk of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we know that good road infrastructure is one of the core objectives.
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“If an MD of FERMA can rehabilitate over 3,698 federal roads and also rehabilitate over 89 point something kilometers of non federal roads, I think it is deserves commendation by entire Nigerians.”
He also disclosed that as a result of the giant strides of Agbasi in FERMA, over 12,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created by Agbasi in the history of FERMA in just a space of one year.
“So, tell me what will happen if Dr Emeka spends four years or Dr Emeka becomes even the Minister of Works. Somebody that can record these achievements just in a space of one year, tell me what he will record in a space of four years or with an additional four years. So, that is the reason why we, the Civil Society Network are here to commend him and tell him a very big job well done and commend him to do more,” Abubakar also said.
Abubakar also lauded Agbasi for his transparency in his dealings with contractor and also his ability to rally FERMA staff, and other empowerment scheme embarked upon.
“A lot has been happening in just a space of one year. As such, we believe we should be here today to commend Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, the Managing Director of FERMA,” Mohammed added.
The commendation rollup banner presented to Agbasi reads: “We, the Coalition of Civil Society Network celebrate with you on the occasion of your One (1) year of Exceptional Service to Nigerians as the Managing Director of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
“Within a year, FERMA under your leadership has made significant strides in improving our nation’s road infrastructure. On the federal front, the agency has made substantial progress, with approximately 3,698.89 kilometres of federal roads rendered motor able.
“Dr. Agbasi also successfully maintained an impressive 82.39 kilometres of non-federal roads, ensuring that vital connections within our nation remain accessible and safe.