FERMA Launches “Operation Safeguard The Road” In Oyo State, Pledges Cleaner, Safer Highways
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN – THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oyo State Field Office, has officially commenced its Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR) programme, a nationwide initiative designed to preserve and protect Nigeria’s federal road infrastructure while enhancing safety for all road users.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 8, at the flag-off ceremony held at the Ibadan–Lagos Toll Gate in Ibadan, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer (FRME) for Oyo State, Engr. Olutunde Adepoju, described the programme as a direct implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to ensure safer, more durable, and sustainable roads across the federation.
“This initiative, conceived under the leadership of our Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Emeka Agbasi, through the Public Works Department, marks another milestone in the drive to protect the public facilities of our great nation.
“We are committed to making our roads safer and more motorable by ensuring clear visibility for motorists, free flow of drainage systems, and proper maintenance of road furniture,” Adepoju said.
He explained that the operation would include the clearing of roadside vegetation, desilting of blocked drains and hydraulic structures, traffic management, and patching of potholes along critical corridors in the state.
“Our roads remain one of the most critical infrastructures in Nigeria. They connect communities, power business activities, and serve as lifelines for economic and social development.
“Protecting them is a collective duty we owe to ourselves and the next generation,” Adepoju added.
Beyond improving road conditions, the programme also provides short-term employment opportunities for local youths numbering over 50 labour, who will be engaged along the 43-kilometre stretch currently covered by the project.
“We have 50 labourers registered for this operation, their engagement has been properly documented to ensure transparency and accountability,” Adepoju explained.
He thanked the Managing Director of FERMA, represented by the Zonal Director for South West I, Engr. B.O. Aina, and all stakeholders present, including representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“Together, we can make our nation great and our roads safer,” he added.
“Development is gradual,” Adepoju tells Nigerians
Addressing journalists after the event, Engr. Adepoju acknowledged that maintaining Nigeria’s extensive federal road network remains a daunting challenge, given limited resources and rising material costs.
“If you look at the total number of federal roads in the country, you’ll understand the enormity of the task,” he said. “In Oyo State alone, I have over 1,118 kilometres under my supervision. The government is doing everything possible to make our roads better, but development takes time. We can’t fix everything overnight.”
He appealed for public patience and cooperation, stressing that the agency is working diligently within available means.
“It’s not that the government doesn’t know what to do. Economic realities and the high cost of construction materials have made road maintenance more challenging. But FERMA remains committed to doing its best.”
Adepoju also condemned acts of vandalism and sabotage by individuals who deliberately damage newly repaired roads, particularly traders who create potholes to slow down vehicles and attract customers.
“People need to understand that these roads are built with taxpayers’ money,” he said. “When they destroy them, they’re wasting public funds. Protecting our infrastructure must be seen as a shared responsibility.”
Earlier, the South West Zonal Director, emphasized on the need for Nigerians to cultivate a maintenance culture in order to keep public infrastructures safe and in good condition for better and durable service.
In separate remarks, stakeholders including the Police Commissioner (represented by CSP Rotimi, the DPO of Toll Gate Division), officials of the FRSC, NSCDC, and members of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), commended FERMA for the initiative, describing it as “timely and proactive.”
They noted that many road crashes are linked to human factors such as reckless driving and poor road culture, especially among truck and trailer drivers along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The stakeholders called for stronger collaboration with FERMA and intensified public sensitization campaigns to promote safer driving habits and reduce preventable road accidents.
In his final remarks, Adepoju reaffirmed FERMA’s commitment to sustaining the programme and expanding its scope. “This operation is not just about fixing roads,” he said. “It’s about building a culture of maintenance and safety that every Nigerian can be proud of.”