Spread the wordThe Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced routine maintenance of the Abakaliki–Enugu–Cross River border highway, a critical federal corridor where residents say more than 30 people have lost their lives in road crashes over the past two years. Ojo explained that the maintenance was designed to preserve federal road infrastructure through continuous intervention before roads deteriorate into conditions requiring major rehabilitation. According to him, clearing thick vegetation along the corridor would improve motorists’ visibility while eliminating hideouts for criminal elements who prey on road users. He added that the programme would also create jobs for residents of host communities and reduce flooding through sustainable drainage maintenance. He expressed optimism that the maintenance would reduce accidents and improve safety on the strategic route linking the South-east with northern Nigeria and neighbouring African countries.