Potholes, Drainage & Debris: FERMA Begins Repairs On Strategic Zuba-Abaji Road
By ABDUL AHMED (A. A.) RUFUS
THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has begun a one-month routine and preventive maintenance exercise on the Zuba-Abaji-Kogi State border road, one of the major transport corridors linking the Federal Capital Territory with other parts of the country.
The intervention comes amid concerns over the deteriorating condition of sections of the highway and the wider impact of poor road infrastructure on transportation, safety and economic activities.
The maintenance programme commenced on Monday 10 August 2026 and covers the road section between Chainage 46+000 and Chainage 88+000.
FERMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, approved the exercise as part of the agency’s broader programme of routine and preventive maintenance on federal roads across the country.
At the flag-off ceremony, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer for the FCT, Engr. Martin Chidozie Eze, urged the 50 participants engaged for the programme to demonstrate professionalism and commitment throughout the one-month exercise.
He said the success of the intervention would depend not only on the availability of tools and equipment but also on the quality and consistency of the work carried out along the corridor.
FERMA distributed working tools, safety equipment and reflective jackets to the participants to support the execution of the project and reduce risks associated with working along a busy highway.
The agency said the programme would focus on addressing defects that could worsen if left unattended, particularly during the rainy season.
Planned activities include pothole repairs, desilting of drainage channels and hydraulic structures, vegetation control, construction and improvement of earth drains, and the evacuation of refuse and abandoned vehicles from the road corridor.
These interventions are expected to improve visibility and drainage while reducing some of the hazards confronting motorists and other road users.
The Zuba-Abaji-Kogi State border road occupies an important position in Nigeria’s road transport network. It serves as a major route connecting the Federal Capital Territory and parts of northern Nigeria with the southern regions.
Large volumes of passengers, commercial vehicles and goods move through the corridor, making its condition important to trade, mobility and the movement of essential services.
FERMA said the maintenance programme was therefore designed to extend the lifespan of the road and prevent minor defects from developing into larger and more expensive infrastructure failures.
The agency also linked the initiative to job creation, noting that the engagement of residents in maintenance activities could provide temporary economic opportunities while contributing to the upkeep of public infrastructure.
Beyond road repairs, FERMA expects improved drainage and vegetation control to reduce the effects of heavy rainfall, which often accelerates road deterioration and creates dangerous conditions for motorists.
The agency also believes that better-maintained road corridors can help reduce accidents and improve security through increased visibility and easier movement.
For road users, however, the impact of the exercise will ultimately depend on the quality and durability of the repairs.
The one-month intervention represents another effort to address immediate maintenance needs on a strategic federal highway, but sustained monitoring and regular maintenance will remain necessary to prevent the road from returning to a deplorable state.
As work progresses along the Zuba-Abaji-Kogi border corridor, motorists and communities along the route will be watching to see whether the intervention delivers safer and more motorable conditions on one of the country’s important transportation links.
