The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced repairs on the deteriorating Anyigba-Ankpa-Otukpo road, which traverses Kogi and Benue States.
The Managing Director of FERMA, Engr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, disclosed this during a visit to the Onu Ankpa, Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar, following an inspection tour of the dilapidated road.
Agbasi, represented by FERMA’s Roads Maintenance Engineer in Kogi, Engr. Muktar Abdulrahim, informed the traditional ruler of their mission to repair the road.
According to him, the repairs were prompted by complaints from road users about the poor state of the federal highway.
He explained that the degradation of sections of the Itobe-Anyigba-Ankpa-Otukpo road was largely due to the heavy volume of trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles using the route.
“The road serves as a crucial link connecting the South-South, South-East, and parts of Eastern Kogi State to Lokoja, the state capital, and further to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Its economic significance cannot be overstated, as it is a vital artery for trade, connecting several commercial hubs, and is also a center for coal mining activities,” he said.
He noted that FERMA officials had conducted an assessment survey of the road in July 2024, after which the management resolved to promptly begin repairs.
“The road was constructed in the 1980s, and the load it now bears far exceeds its original design capacity.
“With the decline of the railway system, heavy goods that would have been transported by train are now moved by trucks, placing additional strain on the road.
“Ankpa, a mining hub, attracts heavy-duty vehicles from within and outside Nigeria to transport coal, further exacerbating the road’s deterioration.
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“The use of a lateritic base has also contributed to the road’s rapid wear and tear. Once cracks form and water seeps in, the damage worsens.
“So, we are now introducing a stone base, which will be stronger and more durable,” he said.
Muktar assured that the repairs would significantly improve safety on the road, reduce travel time, lower vehicle maintenance costs, and minimize breakdowns.
He reaffirmed FERMA’s commitment to ensuring thorough road maintenance and delivering quality work, despite budget constraints.
In response, the Onu Ankpa, Alh. Abdulmalik Umar, expressed gratitude to FERMA’s managing director and his team for the agency’s concern for the people.
The traditional ruler described the intervention as timely, given the damage caused by heavy trucks, and urged the agency to ensure the road receives a lasting solution.
The royal father also prayed for the success of FERMA’s efforts.
The FERMA team also inspected the reinstatement of a washed-out culvert at CH.41+000 along the Okene-Adogo-Ajaokuta road in Kogi State, where work is currently in progress.
