By Steve Oko, Umuahia

UMUAHIA – The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has issued a stern warning to residents of Abia State and road users along the Aba–Azumini highway to desist from burning tyres and engaging in other activities capable of damaging the newly rehabilitated road.

Speaking during an inspection of the project, the South-East 2 Zonal Director of FERMA, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, cautioned that such harmful practices—often associated with celebrations—could quickly destroy the fresh asphalt and reverse the gains of the intervention.

He stressed that the highway, once a death trap for commuters and residents, had been restored to a safe and motorable condition through FERMA’s efforts.

“Our advice to road users, especially host communities, is to protect this road. Nobody should destroy it or burn tyres on it in the name of celebration,” Omonowo said.

Expressing satisfaction with the quality of work executed, he noted that key drainage features, including a catch pit, were incorporated to prevent water overflow and prolong the lifespan of the road.

Omonowo further highlighted the strategic importance of the road, which links Aba to several communities in Abia and extends to Cross River State, carrying heavy vehicular traffic daily.

He urged indigenous construction firms to improve on quality delivery to better compete with foreign companies in securing major contracts.

Speaking also, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, commended the peaceful disposition of host communities, noting that FERMA personnel had not experienced harassment during the course of the project.

He attributed the enabling environment to the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti, whose leadership, he said, has ensured relative peace and stability in the state.