The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) today, received a team of Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai on a courtesy visit to the Agency Headquarters, Abuja.
His visit was to appreciate the collaboration and assistance the Army has been getting from the Agency. In addition to the fact that the Agency has spread over the entire nation, special attention was given to the Military Theatre Operation Zone in 2018 to assist the Military carry out its operations effectively in the North East.
Some of such special attention includes; the General Maintenance Repairs of Maiduguri – Damboa – Biu Road in Borno State, General Maintenance Repairs of Biu – Wuyo – Gombe State Border in Borno State, Major Maintenance Repairs of Biu – Shaffa – Garkida Adamawa State Boarder Road in Borno State, Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Maiduguri – Monguno – Baga Road, Borno State, Rehabilitation of Biu – Garkida Road (Ch0+000 – 1+000 Section I) in Borno State, Rehabilitation of Baga Mogo Park Abdu one Mohammed to Songhai Road Junction in Maiduguri, Borno State.
FERMA has also procured more road maintenance works in 2019 that will support and enhance the operations of the Military. These works are at various stages of commencement.
Recently the Military called on FERMA to clear all vegetations on selected Federal routes nationwide and one of it, was the special Vegetation clearance on Abuja – Kaduna express road.
The clearance has yielded results by the several reports we have received through the media on the arrest of kidnappers and bandits.
The Managing Director, FERMA, Engr. Nuruddeen A. Rafindadi, FNSE disclosed that FERMA has always considered itself as part and parcel of Nigeria security as the road network across the nation is a framework of Nigeria security architecture. ‘’when I go out to seek for fund, I always try to make a point that funding of road maintenance in Nigeria should be given a priority that is given to security because roads are part of the security network’’
The MD added that FERMA is one of the Federal agencies that is on ground in every part of the country including the North East even during the worst time of security challenges. He said FERMA is proud that in all its activities in the North East the Army has given it a great support as there have not been any major incident even though we work under precarious condition.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff had also said the visit to the Agency was for two reason which are to congratulate the MD on the giant stride the Agency has made in the maintenance of road and solidify the partnership they have with FERMA to link roads to rural areas where criminals take advantage of to perpetrate their activities, so that it will be easier for the Army to reach such places to provide security.
The Managing Director/CEO, FERMA pledged the Agency’s commitment to the partnership it has with the Army and hope the visit will strengthen it further in order to ease the security situation in the country. He appreciated the Army in general and the Chief of Army Staff in particular for having kept Nigeria in safer state from 2015 till date.
Maryam M. Sanusi (Mrs.)
Deputy Director (Information)
17th June, 2019
