Yuletide Season: FERMA Launches Road Fixes Across Kebbi—-The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Kebbi, on Wednesday commenced repairs on major federal roads under its Operation Connect to Your Destination (OCYD) initiative, ahead of the 2025 Yuletide season.
Flagging off the exercise at Km 1+150 along the Kalgo-Bunza road, the FERMA Engineer-in-Charge in the state, Mr Rilwanu Usman, said the operation was designed to ease travel difficulties and reduce accidents during the festive period.
“The essence of our coming here today is to kick-start Operation Connect to Your Destination 3.0 under the leadership of our Managing Director, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi. This is the third edition of this nationwide operation.
“Anyone familiar with this road knows how dangerous it is, given the high rate of fatal accidents leading to loss of lives and property.
“Our goal is to avert such tragedies and ensure a hitch-free Yuletide travel season,” he said.
Usman explained that the exercise involves intensive pothole patching, rehabilitation of failed sections and asphalt overlays to strengthen the road surface.
“We are targeting a completely pothole-free stretch from the beginning of the road to the junction, and we even intend to go beyond that,” he added.
The engineer noted that FERMA had remained visible across Kebbi, citing the recent restoration of a destructed flooded section along the Argungu-WACOT road.
“Even this road linking Bunza to Koko has witnessed significant repairs.
“During the rainy season, heavy articulated vehicles diverted to this axis after the collapse of a bridge on the Koko road.
“We intend to restore it fully and keep it motorable,” he said.
Usman commended the agency’s MD, Agbasi for the initiative, stressing that it aligned with the Federal Government’s mandate to keep all federal roads serviceable.
He also acknowledged the support of Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, for their contributions to President Bola Tinubu’s vision of an efficient and economically vibrant Nigeria.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that failures and distressed sections are remedied promptly. This programme enables us to do that in a more targeted and impactful manner,” he said.
On his part, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Works in the state, Alhaji Malami Aliyu, said the ministry was monitoring FERMA’s activities to ensure that roads remained safe and durable.
“We are working together to protect lives and property through quality road infrastructure.
“We commend FERMA for this initiative, which complements routine maintenance efforts,” he said.
A cross section of motorists interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed satisfaction with the intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial.
A commercial driver, Malam Dauda Alkali, praised FERMA for its consistent commitment to maintaining federal roads in the state.
“The way FERMA is working on federal roads in Kebbi is commendable. Their efforts should be emulated by the state government, especially on roads linking Nigeria to Benin and Niger Republics,” Alkali advised.
He added that the initiative had eased the hardship motorists had faced following the devastation caused by heavy rains and flooding during the last rainy season.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Alhaji Garba Dan-Malam, described the exercise as a “much-needed intervention.”
He lauded the federal government and FERMA’s MD for formulating and sustaining the programme for the benefit of motorists and road users nationwide.
Manchester City secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Erling Haaland’s controversial second-half goal settling a fiercely contested Manchester derby.
City were forced to play with 10 men for more than an hour after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half for kicking out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Enzo Maresca’s side remained disciplined and eventually found the breakthrough through Haaland.
The decisive moment arrived around the hour mark when Haaland found the net, only for the assistant referee to immediately raise the flag for offside.
However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned and the goal was awarded. Replays showed that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot had played Haaland onside, while Enzo Fernández’s position was deemed not to constitute interference with play.
The decision sparked furious reactions from the home supporters, with Manchester United players also questioning whether Fernández’s position had interfered with their ability to defend the move.
United were handed a major advantage by Foden’s dismissal but failed to capitalise on it. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both struck the woodwork as the hosts desperately searched for an equaliser.
Manchester City’s defence held firm during the closing stages, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a crucial late save to deny Bryan Mbeumo and preserve the visitors’ clean sheet.
The victory was particularly impressive given City’s lengthy spell with 10 men and handed Maresca a huge win in his first Manchester derby as City manager.
For Haaland, the goal continued his remarkable record against Manchester United and proved enough to give City all three points in one of the most controversial derbies in recent years.
The result keeps Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start intact, with the champions moving onto 12 points from four matches, level with Arsenal at the top of the table but behind the Gunners on goal difference. Manchester United, meanwhile, remain on just four points after four matches.
Manchester United marked their return to the UEFA Champions League in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani champions Sabah Masazir at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Michael Carrick’s side took control of the contest after a cautious opening spell before eventually breaking through in the 27th minute. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring after Patrick Dorgu’s delivery created the opportunity for the Brazilian to put United ahead.
The hosts quickly took advantage of their growing dominance, with captain Bruno Fernandes doubling the advantage in the 42nd minute.
United then struck again before the interval as Benjamin Šeško found the back of the net to give the Red Devils a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
Sabah, appearing in the Champions League main phase for the first time in their history, struggled to cope with United’s attacking pressure and the quality of the Premier League side.
The Azerbaijani champions had a chance to pull one back during the contest, but United’s defence remained firm, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens also called upon to protect the clean sheet.
United eventually added a fourth in the 68th minute when Lisandro Martínez capitalised on confusion inside the Sabah defence to complete the rout.
The victory gives Manchester United an ideal start to their Champions League campaign after returning to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2023. The result also provides a major confidence boost for Carrick’s squad ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated Manchester derby against Manchester City.
For Sabah, the heavy defeat brought a difficult end to an otherwise historic night. The club, founded in 2017, earned their place in the Champions League after winning the Azerbaijani title and progressing through the qualifying rounds. Their appearance at Old Trafford represented their first-ever match in the main phase of the competition.
United will now look to build on the impressive European victory as they continue their Champions League campaign, while Sabah will aim to regroup for their upcoming fixtures against some of Europe’s biggest clubs.