The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has appealed to residents of Abia State and road users along the Aba-Azumini highway to safeguard newly repaired sections of the road from damage.

The agency, through its South-East 2 Zonal Director, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, warned that practices such as burning tyres during celebrations could seriously damage the road infrastructure.

Speaking during an inspection of the project, Omonowo stressed that destructive activities by youths and community members often contribute to the rapid deterioration of roads across the country.

He urged locals to take responsibility for preserving the road, noting that it had previously been in a dangerous state before the agency’s intervention.

“This section of the highway was once in a very poor condition and posed serious risks to both commuters and residents before it was rehabilitated,” he said, while cautioning against any form of misuse.

Omonowo also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work delivered by the contractor, highlighting that the inclusion of a catch pit in the design would help manage water flow and prevent flooding on the road.

He explained that the highway serves as a major link between Aba and surrounding communities, extending to Cross River State, and carries a high volume of traffic, making its maintenance critical.

The zonal director, whose office oversees operations in Ebonyi, Abia, and Cross River states, further encouraged Nigerian construction firms to improve their standards in order to compete effectively with foreign companies.

In a related remark, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, stated that FERMA personnel have not faced harassment or threats from residents during their operations in the state.