FERMA warns against burning tyres on roads

From Okey Sampson, Abia

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has appealed to residents of Abia State to desist from burning tyres on roads or engaging in activities that could damage road surfaces.

The appeal was made by the South-East II Zonal Director of FERMA, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, while inspecting on-going work on the Aba–Azumini highway, being rehabilitated under SUKUK funding and supervised by FERMA.

Omonowo described tyre burning during festivities and other occasions as a major contributor to road deterioration.

“Our advice to road users, especially indigenes, is to protect the roads from destruction. Nobody should burn tyres in the name of celebration,” he said. He noted that the section of the highway was previously in a terrible condition, posing serious danger to commuters before FERMA’s intervention.

Omonowo expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done by the contractor, adding that the catch pits constructed would help prevent flooding.

He explained that the road connects Aba to several communities in the state and extends to Cross River State, carrying heavy vehicular traffic, which necessitated the intervention.

The federal roads maintenance engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, said FERMA workers have not experienced harassment from youth during operations.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti for ensuring a peaceful environment conducive for the agency’s work. Residents, including commercial drivers and tricycle operators, lauded FERMA for the rehabilitation, noting that the road, once a nightmare, is now motorable.

Communities in Obingwa and Ukwa East also lauded the agency for quality drainage work along the route.