Kebbi FERMA engages 800 youths on vegetation

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Kebbi State has engaged 800 unemployed youths in the vegetation and silt control programme, in an attempt to maintain roads and reduce road crashes in the state.

State Coordinator of the agency, Rilwanu Usman, who disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi, said vegetation and silt needed to be controlled in view of their harmful and devastating effects on motorists plying the roads, noting that vegetation serves as hideout for armed robbers and also obstructs sight distance. Usman noted that the youths were engaged in collaboration with their district heads to assist in clearing the vegetation and clearing of waterways.

He added that the agency is also carrying out maintenance repairs on Birnin Kebbi, Argungu and Sokoto roads and construction of roads within the Federal University campus in Birnin-Kebbi, the contract which according to him, was awarded to Zanaths Nigeria Limited at the cost of N41.3 million.

He added that rehabilitation work is also ongoing on Arugungu/Kangiwa road, Kangiwa/Kamba road and was awarded to ZBBC Nigeria Limited at the cost of N127 million and N115 million respectively, while Saminaka/Shanga rehabilitation work awarded to Marparks Nigeria Limited at the cost of N45.5 million is five per cent in progress.