The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has launched a new programme called Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR), designed to enhance the safety and quality of federal roads while creating employment opportunities for young people living along major road corridors.
The initiative, unveiled on the Zuba-Giri-Abaji-Lokoja-Kogi State Border Road in Kwali, Abuja, targets youths aged 18 to 45 and aims to reduce travel time and costs, improve road safety, and offer temporary jobs in communities adjacent to federal highways.
According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Information and Public Relations, the programme includes vegetation control to improve road visibility, drainage management to prevent flooding, minor repairs such as pothole patching, and training participants in road maintenance operations. Participants will also receive stipends throughout the programme.
FERMA’s Managing Director explained that the project supports the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by reducing poverty, curbing road accidents, and encouraging community participation in safeguarding road infrastructure. By involving local youths, the initiative is expected to foster a stronger sense of ownership and reduce vandalism of road furniture.
He added that Operation Safeguard the Road builds on the success of previous community-focused maintenance efforts such as the Stakeholders Assisted Rights of Way Maintenance Implementation Programme (SHAROW-MIP) and the Stakeholders Assisted Rights of Way Economic Sustainability Programme (SHAROW-ESP), both of which enhanced road upkeep and supported local economies.
Beyond infrastructure maintenance, the programme is expected to strengthen economic activity along key transport routes, providing a boost for MSMEs that rely on efficient road networks for logistics and distribution. Improved road safety and reduced travel time will also help lower operational costs for small businesses and improve access to markets.
Described as both a social safety net and a tool for economic resilience, Operation Safeguard the Road underscores FERMA’s commitment to combining road infrastructure development with youth empowerment and local economic growth.
