FERMA Launches “Operation Safeguard the Roads” in Kogi to Curb Traffic Crashes

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has launched a special intervention initiative in Kogi State called “Operation Safeguard the Roads”, aimed at reducing traffic accidents and improving the overall condition of federal roads.

The programme was officially flagged off on Tuesday by Muktar Abdulrahim, FERMA’s Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in Kogi, at Ochadamu, along the Itobe–Anyigba Road.

Objectives of the Initiative

According to Abdulrahim, the intervention seeks to:

• Enhance safety and efficiency on federal roads

• Reduce road crashes and travel time

• Discourage vandalism and environmental abuse

• Create temporary job opportunities for local youth

“The programme is designed to discourage road vandalism and abuse such as dumping refuse in drains, illegal road cutting, and theft of infrastructure like bridge handrails and road signs,” Abdulrahim explained.

He noted that the intervention would also foster community ownership of road infrastructure by involving residents in its protection and upkeep.

Scope of Work

Key components of “Operation Safeguard the Roads” include:

• Vegetation control along road shoulders to improve visibility

• Desilting of drains and culverts to prevent flooding and reduce maintenance costs

• Minor repairs, including pothole patching and restoration of collapsed sections

• Community-based training on basic road maintenance practices

“These efforts are aimed at ensuring free-flowing traffic and safer travel, especially as the end-of-year festive season approaches,” he said.

Abdulrahim thanked FERMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Chukwu Emeka-Agbasi, for initiating the project, which he described as timely and impactful.

Regional Impact and Stakeholder Support

Speaking at the launch, Awodun Daniel, FERMA’s Zonal Director for North-Central 1, emphasized that the initiative was designed to address recurring safety challenges on federal roads in Kogi, particularly during high-traffic periods like Christmas and New Year.

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), traditional rulers, and community leaders, who pledged support for the programme.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the broader programme was officially inaugurated by the FERMA Managing Director on September 27, along the Zuba–Giri–Abaji–Lokoja Road.

Kogi Road Safety Crisis

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over frequent and deadly road accidents across Kogi State in 2025. Several incidents have drawn national attention:

• May 25: 19 people, including five children, died in a head-on collision on the Lokoja–Obajana Road involving a Toyota Hummer bus and a truck.

• February 16: 7 people, including 4 Federal University Lokoja students, were killed in Felele when a timber-laden truck lost its brakes and collided with a shuttle bus.

• August 14: 1 person died and 5 were injured in a lone crash on the Lokoja–Obajana–Kabba Road, caused by overspeeding.

• April 21: 6 people died in Okene LGA when a truck rolled backward and crushed multiple vehicles due to brake failure.

• September 5: A survivor recounted a crash involving a car that veered off the road and somersaulted; casualty figures were not specified.

These tragedies, often caused by brake failure, overspeeding, and reckless driving, underscore the urgent need for improved road conditions and better enforcement of traffic regulations.