FERMA clears overgrown vegetation on Kwara road to tackle insecurity
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced the clearing of bushes and overgrown trees along the Geri Alimi-Offa Garage carriageway in Ilorin, Kwara State, as part of efforts to improve security and road safety in the area.
The exercise, carried out under the agency’s “Operation Safeguard the Roads” initiative, is aimed at eliminating hiding spots for criminals while ensuring safer and more motorable roads for residents and commuters.
Speaking with journalists during an inspection of the ongoing maintenance work on Tuesday, the Kwara State Coordinator of FERMA, Engineer Onimago Olusola, said the operation is an annual intervention programme of the agency.
According to him, youths engaged for the exercise were trained in basic road maintenance techniques, including vegetation control, desilting of blocked drainage channels and minor road repairs. He noted that the rainy season makes drainage maintenance critical, as water remains one of the greatest threats to road infrastructure.
Olusola explained that the agency was also carrying out patching works on the three-kilometre Geri Alimi-Offa Garage road, which had previously deteriorated due to potholes and failed sections. He said the repairs were being undertaken through direct labour to restore the road to a motorable condition.
The FERMA coordinator called on corporate organisations and residents to support road maintenance efforts as part of their social responsibility, urging businesses operating along major roads to help maintain their surroundings and keep public spaces clean.
He disclosed that the agency was considering the provision of solar-powered streetlights on the corridor to improve visibility and security at night. He also revealed that rehabilitation work was ongoing on the Tsaragi-Lafiagi road, particularly on a section that had remained in poor condition for about 15 years.
Olusola appealed for increased funding for FERMA to enable it address the growing challenges facing federal roads across the country. Some residents who spoke with journalists commended the agency for clearing the vegetation, saying the area had become safer. They, however, urged the government to install solar streetlights along the carriageway to further improve security and reduce criminal activities at night.
