FERMA engages 70 Sokoto youths to safeguard roads

SEO

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has engaged 70 youths from Yabo and Sanyinna communities in Sokoto State under its Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR-II) Programme.

The programme, inaugurated on Wednesday along the Jaredi-Kebbi border road, is aimed at improving road conditions, enhancing accessibility and preventing road accidents through routine maintenance activities.

Mr Jamilu Sidi, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in Sokoto, said the initiative was also designed to provide employment opportunities for youths in communities along the road.

Sidi said the 70 beneficiaries would participate in a month-long exercise involving clearing of roadside vegetation and other activities to ensure safer road use.

“The idea is to maintain road safety and engage youths, particularly indigenes of the affected communities, in safeguarding our roads.

“Today, we are engaging 70 youths drawn from Yabo and Sanyinna for a one-month programme, thereby providing employment opportunities for them.

“The recruited youths are expected to work throughout the month to clear the road and ensure that motorists can travel safely,” the maintenance engineer said.

He urged the beneficiaries to demonstrate commitment and diligence in discharging their responsibilities, assuring that FERMA would sustain supervision to ensure the programme achieved its objectives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is the second phase of the programme, following the successful implementation of the first phase in 2025 along the Sokoto-Niger Republic border road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Also speaking, Malam Kasim Maigwandu, the Federal Consultant on Works, described the programme as an important intervention towards reducing road accidents and improving safety for motorists.

Maigwandu commended FERMA for the initiative and assured that the Federal Ministry of Works would continue to support efforts aimed at ensuring its success.

Similarly, the District Head of Sanyinna, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, commended the agency for engaging youths in the programme.

He said the initiative would contribute significantly to protecting lives and property along the road, while providing economic opportunities for beneficiaries.