By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
Chairman of the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Major Gen. Paul Tarfa, in a recent courtesy visit to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), sought the intervention of FERMA in the rehabilitation of roads in the North-East zone of the country.
A statement signed by Maryam M. Sanusi (Mrs.), FERMA’s Director/Head (Comm./PR) on Thursday said the Chairman pleaded particularly in a two and half kilometers road situated between Biu in the Southern Bornu and Gombi in the Northern Adamawa.
Tarfa said, there was no State in Nigeria where FERMA’s impact was not felt as the name FERMA kept ringing in the ears of Nigerians for the good works done on Nigerian roads.
He mentioned that his coming to FERMA was to appreciate the good work FERMA has been doing across the country and also to draw the attention of the Agency to the deplorable condition of the 2.5km road.
According to the General, the 2.5 km road which has cut off Biu from the neighboring communities, if attended to, will boost economic activities and also curb the activities of bandits and other criminals that have taken advantage of the bad road to attack innocent citizens plying the road. He also said that repair of the road will reduce the number of hours the commuters use to access neighboring communities.
General Tarfa appreciated the MD, Board Members, Directors and members of staff of FERMA for their dedication and contribution to the positive impact of the Agency across the country as he urged that FERMA shift focus to the North-East, particularly the 2.5 kilometres road between Biu and Gombi.
The MD/CEO of FERMA, Engr. Nuruddeen A. Rafindadi welcomed Major Gen. Tarfa, describing him as an embodiment of Nigerian History.
He appreciated Gen. Tarfa and the Governing Board of NEDC for calling the attention of FERMA to the road.
He said: “Roads infrastructure is considered most important in FERMA as it grows the economy of any country.
“FERMA pays attention to the lives of people and do not underestimate the effect of projects like this in the lives of the people.”
The MD assured the chairman of NEDC that FERMA would, as a matter of priority look into the road for its intervention.
The MD/CEO promised to maintain the continuous partnership with the North-East Development Commission.