The project, titled Operation Safeguard the Roads, was officially flagged off Muktar Abdulrahim, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer in the state, during a ceremony at Ochadamu, along the Itobe–Anyigba Road.


According to Abdulrahim, the intervention is designed to enhance road usability for motorists, reduce travel time and costs, and create temporary employment opportunities for youths living along major road corridors.


“The programme is meant to discourage common abuses such as dumping refuse in drainages, illegal road excavation, and theft of road infrastructure like handrails and signs,” he said.


He explained that the initiative also includes vegetation control to improve visibility, desilting of drains to prevent flooding, and minor road repairs such as pothole patching and collapsed section reinstatement to ensure smooth traffic flow.


Additionally, local residents will be trained in basic road maintenance to build community ownership and long-term sustainability of the project.

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FERMA’s Zonal Director for North-Central 1, Awodun Daniel, noted that the operation is timely as the festive season approaches, a period typically marked by increased travel and higher crash risks.
The event was attended by officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, traditional rulers, and members of the public.


The initiative follows a troubling spike in fatal road crashes across Kogi State in 2025. On September 5, a survivor recounted a horrific accident involving a somersaulting vehicle, while on August 14, one person died and five were injured in a lone crash attributed to speeding on the Lokoja–Obajana–Kabba Road.


The launch of Operation Safeguard the Roads represents a step by FERMA to address these challenges through proactive maintenance and community engagement.

Source: Punch