In a wonderful development for Katsina State, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency has launched Operation Safeguard Your Roads, an innovative program that beautifully addresses multiple community needs at once. The initiative, which kicked off in January 2025, is restoring approximately 50 kilometers of federal roads while simultaneously creating meaningful employment opportunities for local youth.

The project focuses on the Katsina–Dutsinma–Kankara Road in Kurfi Local Government Area, where crews are already hard at work improving road safety and accessibility. What makes this program particularly inspiring is its dual purpose approach. Rather than simply fixing infrastructure, FERMA is investing in the community's future by employing unemployed young people who will receive stipends for their valuable contributions.

Bashir Isma, the FERMA Federal Road Maintenance Engineer overseeing the Katsina Field Office, explained the thoughtful design behind the initiative. The program tackles vegetation control by clearing trees and shrubs along road corridors, which improves visibility for drivers and helps prevent both accidents and criminal activity. Additionally, the team is managing drainage systems by desilting clogged line drains, ensuring that storm water flows freely and protecting the roads from flooding and structural damage.

Maxwell Lede, Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Katsina, enthusiastically praised the timing and impact of the initiative. He emphasized how road safety and youth engagement work together to strengthen national security, expressing genuine optimism that this pilot program would continue well beyond its first year. The FRSC has pledged its full support through public education and motorist awareness campaigns.

The Ripple Effect: The positive impact of this program extends far beyond the immediate road repairs. At least 50 young people have already found employment through the scheme, gaining valuable work experience and income while serving their community. For these youth, the program represents hope and opportunity during challenging economic times.

Local motorists are already celebrating the improvements. Abbas Ali from Funtua and Samuila Sadiq from Kurfi both spoke with enthusiasm about how the intervention is making their daily travel safer and easier. Representatives from the Federal Ministry of Works and the National Union of Road Transport Workers have also voiced strong support, recognizing the program as a much needed and welcome development.

What's particularly encouraging is the collaborative spirit surrounding the initiative. Commander Lede urged everyone from beneficiaries to traditional rulers and transport unions to embrace shared ownership of the project, recognizing that road safety benefits everyone when communities work together.

The program aligns beautifully with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda, delivering tangible improvements in road maintenance, security, and economic opportunity. As the work progresses along nearly 50 kilometers of roadway, the initiative stands as a shining example of how infrastructure investment can lift entire communities, creating safer travel conditions while empowering the next generation with jobs and purpose.