THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, (Kaduna Field Office) has commenced the rehabilitation and repairs of the damaged sections of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.

Following the repairs of the road, which is the longest stretch in Kaduna state, motorists and other road users especially residents of Nassarawa, Kabala West, Ungwan Mua'zu, Asikolaye, Kurmin-mashi and other adjoining communities located along the 26km route have heaved a huge sigh of relief especially with the presence of the engineering team from Kaduna Field Office of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA.

The damaged and failed portions of the highway had become a nightmare to roads users particularly, heavy duty trucks from South-South states heading to the northern states.

FERMA, an intervention agency of the Federal Government with a mandate to efficiently, monitor and administer road maintenance with the objective of keeping all federal roads in good and safe condition, has mobilized its team of engineers and also, commenced work.

Speaking with reporters, while inspecting ongoing work on Friday, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer, Kaduna Field Office, Engr. (Dr.) Atiku Abubakar revealed that the presence of the agency (FERMA) on the route is to ensure that motorists enjoy a smooth drive along that route.

Engineer Abubakar further disclosed that the Kaduna State Government, through its Honourable Commissioner for Works, had invited FERMA to take up the rehabilitation and repairs of the damaged sections of the road.

The ongoing infrastructural strides and upgrade of road networks within the state, has attracted applause from some residents as this has brought about a new face-lift to the aesthetics of the metropolis. 

According to Engr. (Dr) Abubakar, residents of these affected areas on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway including travelers have suffered untold hardship while commuting through the route.

He promised, in his capacity as the FRME, Kaduna Field Office, to see to the quality completion of the ongoing rehabilitation projects within the jurisdiction of his office.

Engr. (Dr.) Atiku Abubakar, it is recalled recently assumed office as the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer at the Kaduna Field Office and has since hit the ground running in his avowed commitment at ensuring that his positive achievements is imprinted in the success story of FERMA.   

Some commuters and drivers who spoke with journalists, commended FERMA for taking up the task of rehabilitating the road based on its reputation for delivering quality maintenance works on Nigerian roads.

Husseini Ahmadou, driver of an articulated vehicle commended the Kaduna state government and FERMA for coming to their aid.

He lamented the long hours they have had to spend on the tortuous drive from the Mando Round-about until they turn off at the Abuja flyover.

He also praised the Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai who is taking Kaduna state to an enviable position by reconstructing roads within the state even as he thanked FERMA for making the pains accompanying the rehabilitation easier for commuters.

Passenger cars and commuters within the axis that commute the route are heaving sighs of relief with the quality of on-going work along the stretch especially on the damaged sections that have made driving along the road a huge pain and a drain in the pockets as their vehicles have to undergo regular maintenance.

Okafor Chimdika, a spare parts dealer at the New Panteka market says, “This will be a huge relief to many of us even though we come here to make money but we are equally feeling the pinch as we either pay high fares or also maintain our cars and motorcycles”.

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