FERMA Fixes 1.7km Stretch Of Ago-Are/Saki/Kisi Road, Moves To Rehabilitate Ijebu Ode, Igbeti Roads
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has completed the rehabilitation of a 1.7-kilometre stretch of failed sections along the Ago-Are/Saki/Kisi Road in Oyo State, while plans are underway to commence work on other critical road networks across the South-West region.
Among the roads slated for immediate intervention are the Ijebu Ode and Igbeti corridors, as well as the Ogbomoso/Kisi Road, where contractors are expected to mobilise to site soon.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing works on the Ago-Are/Saki Road, the South-West Zonal Director I of FERMA, Babatunde Longe, said the agency intervened following severe sectional failures observed on the affected routes.
Longe noted that the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s policy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure that roads across the country remain motorable and safe for commuters.
“I am satisfied with the level of rehabilitation work carried out so far on the Ago-Are to Saki Road. This is part of FERMA’s mandate to make all federal roads motorable,” he said.
“We identified critical failures along this stretch and decided to intervene promptly. Motorists have expressed relief and satisfaction with the progress made.”
He further disclosed that additional projects, including the Ogbomoso to Igbeti Road, would commence as soon as contractors are fully mobilised.
“Rehabilitation works will also soon begin on the Ijebu Ode axis and other priority roads within the South-West,” Longe added.
Residents and commuters in Ago-Are community commended the Federal Government and FERMA for the intervention, describing the previously damaged section as a “death trap” responsible for numerous accidents and loss of lives.
“This portion of the road has been a nightmare for years. We are grateful for this timely intervention, as it will significantly reduce accidents,” a community member said.
The residents, however, appealed to the government to complement the rehabilitation work with proper drainage systems and installation of speed breakers, particularly around the busy Ago-Are cattle market, noted as the second largest in Oyo State.