The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has engaged 50 youths in Kwara State for a month-long routine preventive maintenance initiative along the Ilorin-Shao Road in Moro Local Government Area ahead of the Yuletide season.

Speaking during the orientation and flag-off of the exercise, tagged Operation Safeguard the Roads II (OSGR II), in Shao on Tuesday, FERMA Zonal Coordinator Babatunde Alonge stated that the recruited youths alongside FERMA engineering teams will clear vegetation, desilt drains, and patch potholes along critical transit corridors.

Alonge noted that the agency's objectives focus on road asset preservation, reducing travel time, improving public safety, and providing youth empowerment, emphasizing that federal highways should not pose hazards to holiday commuters.

Also speaking, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer for Kwara State, Engineer Lukman Onimago, explained that the Ilorin-Shao Road was selected due to its economic significance, connecting key institutions including Sobi Barracks, Kwara State University (KWASU), and several regional markets.

In his remarks, the Ohoro of Shao, Oba Dr. Job Obalowu Atolagbe Ayanwola IV, represented by the Chief Imam of Shao Kingdom, Adam Toyin Jamiu, commended the Federal Government for the continuous maintenance of the highway.

The monarch also appealed to the Federal Government to construct a flyover at the Oko-Olowo–Shao junction to curb recurring vehicular accidents along the busy intersection.