REHABILITATION OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE BYEPASS: FERMA, Kaduna Field Office Receives Commendation Over Level Of Work.

"FERMA Kaduna Field Office with its robust and competent manpower, if given the adequate resources and equipments will be able to tackle bad roads effectively".... Engr. Rasak Olaniyi.

The Kaduna Field Office of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA have been commended for its commitment to the success of its mandate, which is to efficiently and effectively monitor and administer roads maintenance with the objective of keeping all federal roads within its watch in good and safe condition.

The commendation came from the Zonal Director, North West Zone 1, Engineer Rasak Kolawole Olaniyi on Saturday on the completion of his three day working visit and tour of projects and condition of roads under the watch of the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer, (FRME) Kaduna Field Office, Engr. (Dr.) Atiku Abubakar Sadiq.

Engr. Olaniyi, while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation works on Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way on Saturday, marking the end of His tour, commended the level of work carried out by the FRME and His team on all Federal Roads within his purview and particularly the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway  considering the critical situation of the road before the intervention. 

He noted that the Kaduna Field Office of FERMA; as project supervisor was doing a good job and enjoined the people of the state to continue to support FERMA in its quest to ensuring that roads are made and better and safer for commuters. 

On why it took FERMA such a while to come to the rescue of commuters plying the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway and residents along the route, Engr. Olaniyi  pointed that the Agency had been maintaining the road, until it was handed over to Kaduna State Government at its request, but now that FERMA is back on the road, efforts will be made within available resources to improve on the condition. 

"We have toured round the state and it is agreed that the roads are bad and we believe that FERMA Kaduna Field Office with its robust and competent manpower, if given the adequate resources and equipments will be able to tackle bad roads effectively.

"We will take this back to the  office and we'll work hand in hand with the Management and ensure that the necessary support needed for the Field Office to function optimally is made available to it.

Engr. Olaniyi commended the contractor handling the project of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway  for the work done so far and, areas where corrections were needed was pointed out to them. 

"Honestly, we are satisfied with what we have seen on ground so far" Olaniyi said. 

When asked to comment on the strides of Engr. (Dr.) Atiku Abubakar Sadiq, FRME, Kaduna Field Office, the Zonal Director said Kaduna is not a completely new terrain for the FRME, as well, He has attained some lofty heights professionally, "Engr. Atiku Abubakar is a rounded Engineer and I'm not surprised of his achievements so far. He is scientific in his approach, he is solving the problems from the basics. By that, I mean he tries to identify and understand the challenges thereafter, apply the possible required solutions.

"This is what Engr. Atiku has done and honestly, I do not expect anything less and I want to wish him the very best. Following the way he is going, I promise to give him all the support needed from the Zonal level to the Headquarters to ensure he succeeds. 

Commenting on the efforts of the personnel, FERMA Kaduna Field Office, The Zonal Director said; "no tree can make a forest. From my view, I see a bundle of wonderful and capable team working with Engr. Abubakar to achieve success, I will appeal that they continue to support their FRME as, when everyone does his own bit, together they will deliver the best of roads to the Kaduna public".

Roads users who spoke with journalists commended the intervention agency for the quality of work especially as the stretch had become a nightmare to them, particularly, articulated vehicles laden with farm produce and other items.

A drive through the route from the Mando roundabout, through the new Panteka market (spare parts), all the damaged and failed portions now wear new looks following the total rehabilitation and repairs of failed sections.

Alhaji Samaila Mustapha expressed his deep appreciation to the Kaduna state government and FERMA for their timely intervention in carrying out the repairs on the road.

“Driving from Kano to Port-Harcourt has always been something I worry about especially when we get to the ByePass to the Abuja road.  Walahi, this is wonderful!

“My prayer is that the government and FERMA can complete the whole road from Mando to the Abuja junction and finish this work so that we all can this drive safely on the road”.    

Spare part dealers at the New Panteka market described the ongoing rehabilitation and repairs as a welcomed development.

A trader at the market, Ahamefula Onyedika commended the Kaduna state government and federal  government intervention Agency, FERMA in particular for the rehabilitation work on the route.

Onyedika disclosed that, with the ongoing repairs, their clients will no longer exercise fear to come down to the market to purchase their needs.

He opined that with the quality of work carried out on the route, cars plying the road daily will no longer visit their mechanics weekly to replace their shock absorbers anymore.

Another commuter who asked not to be mentioned, said the staff of FERMA deserve commendation especially as they took out time to appeal for understanding from road users owing to the buildup of traffic. These are gentlemen who are taking out their time to do a good job and also asking people to be patient while the work is ongoing. Thumbs up gentlemen, he said.