The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Ebonyi State has successfully rehabilitated several critical portions of the Abakaliki/Enugu highway, addressing dangerous sections that had become death traps for motorists and other road users.
Akinyemi Ojo, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer for Ebonyi State Field Office, announced the completion of the rehabilitation works in Abakaliki, the state capital. He explained that the intervention was necessary due to the deteriorating condition of specific road sections.
"Some of the fixed roads were constructed with concrete. We discovered that some concrete roads failed, and upon investigation, it was clear that the failure originated from the foundation. After cutting and scooping out the affected sections, we confirmed that groundwater levels were high, and proper measures were not taken during the initial construction to address this issue," Ojo explained.
He added, "This oversight caused the failure, and we are now addressing and correcting it. For instance, there was a washout at km 8.700 along the Abakaliki/Enugu road, which has now been fixed and is motorable. When this incident occurred, the Civil Defense and DSS alerted our agency, and we took immediate action to rectify the problem."
Ojo highlighted several other rehabilitated sections, including a previously dangerous bridge approach that has now been properly fixed and is safe for traffic. Additionally, the agency responded to concerns raised by the DSS regarding another accident-prone bridge near FETHA 2 in Abakaliki, which has since been opened for traffic after necessary repairs.
The FERMA engineer emphasized that human activities significantly contribute to road failures. "In some areas, people dispose of waste in drainages, causing blockages that lead to flooding and subsequent road damage. For example, at the FETHA location, improper waste disposal in drains caused water to accumulate on the carriageways, leading to asphalt failure."
Ojo urged motorists and community members to be cautious and responsible in maintaining the roads. "It is not solely the government's responsibility to keep our roads in good condition. We all have a part to play by ensuring that we do not pour waste into drains. Once drains are blocked, flooding occurs, which damages the roads," he noted.
FERMA's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and maintain roads aim to ensure safer travel for all road users while urging the public to contribute to these efforts by adopting responsible waste disposal practices.
