By Rapheal

Copyright thesun

Targets job creation for youth

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has officially flagged off Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR) programme aimed at keeping all federal roads in good condition.

The nationwide initiative will also create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

Speaking during the flagoff programme at the Federal Government College, along Zuba–Abaji–Lokoja Road, Kwali, Abuja, the Managing Director/CEO, of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Dr Emeka Agbasi, described the programme as a milestone in the agency’s roads maintenance calendar.

“Today marks another important milestone in our maintenance programme as the year gradually draws to a close.

“Operation Safeguard the Road is designed not only to keep roads in good condition, but also to create opportunities for unemployed youths, especially those living in communities along federal highways,”Agbasi said.

The FERMA boss emphasized the central role of road infrastructure in national development, saying that “good roads are enablers of trade, access to healthcare, education, and even national security.

“When roads are neglected, the cost of repair becomes enormous, but with preventive maintenance, we can safeguard lives and preserve our investments.”

He explained that the programme aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to maximize the serviceability of existing road assets while contributing to socio-economic growth and poverty alleviation.

“By engaging youths in routine road maintenance activities, we are simultaneously improving the roads and empowering our young citizens with income, skills, and a sense of purpose,” he added.

According to Agbasi, the programme is designed to deliver multiple benefits beyond pavement repairs.

“When roads are safe and passable, businesses flourish, communities are better connected, and emergency services can operate efficiently.

“At the same time, the stipend our youths receive is more than just income; it strengthens households, helps pay school fees, improves access to healthcare, and even ensures that families can provide three square meals a day,” he noted.

He emphasized that engaging local youths will foster community cohesion.

By working together on these projects, residents feel ownership of the roads that serve them daily. The initiative promotes social stability, resilience in hardship, and a sense of pride in collective effort,” he said.

Head of FERMA’s Public Works Unit (PWU), Engr. Ibrahim Ismaila, who oversees the OSGR programme, highlighted its dual purpose of road maintenance and youth empowerment.

“OSGR addresses two critical challenges: the decay of our road infrastructure and youth unemployment.

“We recruit unemployed youths between the ages of 18 and 45 from communities along selected road corridors. They receive orientation on safety, proper tool usage, and work expectations before being deployed to the field.

“Participants carry out vegetation clearance, desilting of drainages, and minor repairs such as pothole patching using stockpiled materials. They are equipped with cutlasses, shovels, wheelbarrows, and reflective jackets, and receive a monthly stipend providing much-needed financial support for their families,” he explained.

With the flag-off of the 2025 edition, FERMA has once again reaffirmed its dual commitment to infrastructure development and human empowerment, ensuring that federal roads remain serviceable while Nigerian youths are given a stake in national progress.