The Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), has begun major road maintenance works in Bauchi State ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

A FERMA engineer, Nanpan Joroh, explained during an interview with journalists on Wednesday that the initiative, called ‘Operation Connect to Your Destination’ focuses on patching potholes and fixing critical roads to improve safety for travelers.

He added that the government is committed to ensuring smooth and safe journeys for Nigerians during the festive period.

Joroh revealed that the maintenance work is already underway on key federal roads across the state adding that several major roads have been approved for full rehabilitation under the 2024 budget, and contractors are set to begin work soon.

Despite challenges such as insecurity, particularly during nighttime operations, Joroh commended the support from security agencies, which has allowed workers to continue repairs without disruption.

Joroh highlighted some of the roads being maintained under the operation to include the Bauchi-Tafawa Balewa to Plateau state border which covers 21 kilometres and Bauchi-Kari to Yobe state border roads with 30.9kilometres.

The site Engineer explained that there were four other major road contracts under the 2024 budget which the federal government had given the approval for their complete maintenance.

These, he said, included the Azare-Misau road with 20.2 kilometres, adding that the contractor has commenced work and would complete the road within a week.

Others included the Bauchi-Jos road, the Bauchi-Gombe state border road and Kari-Yana in Jigawa state border road.

“The contractors for these three roads will soon report and mobilise to site any moment from now and that is when we will know the kilometres that will be covered.

“With all these contracts and the direct labour works, if they are executed, the federal roads in Bauchi state will be motorable and the people will use them to travel safely to their destinations in the festive period,” the Engineer said.

He also appreciated Governor Bala Mohammed for his assistance, including allocating land for FERMA’s permanent office in the state.

Yuletide: FERMA begins major road repairs in Bauchi