The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has officially flagged off Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR) programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at keeping federal roads in good condition while creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
Speaking during the flag off programme at Federal Government College, along Zuba–Abaji–Lokoja Road, Kwali, Abuja on Thursday, Managing Director/CEO, of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency FERMA Engr. Dr Emeka Agbasi, FNSE, described the programme as a milestone in the Agency’s maintenance calendar.
“Today marks another important milestone in our maintenance programme as the year gradually draws to a close,” he said. “Operation Safeguard the Road is designed not only to keep good roads in good condition but also to create opportunities for unemployed youths, especially those living in communities along federal highways.”Agbasi said
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Agbasi emphasized the central role of road infrastructure in national development. “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 said
He explained that the programme aligns 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,” he said. “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 emphasized that engaging local youths fosters 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.”
Meanwhile, Engr. Ibrahim Ismaila Head of FERMA’s Public Works Unit (PWU), which 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,” he explained. “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.”he said
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.
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.
