FERMA Outgoing Engineer-in-Charge Hails Idris, Bagudu for Support to Road Maintenance in Kebbi
By Yusuf Gwandu
The outgoing Engineer-in-Charge of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Kebbi Field Office, Mr Rilwanu Usman, has commended Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, for their support and cooperation in improving the safety and motorability of federal roads and bridges in the state.
Usman made the commendation on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi at a handover, taking-over and send-forth ceremony following his elevation and transfer to the FERMA Zonal Office in Sokoto, where he assumed duty as Acting Zonal Director.
He said the synergy between FERMA, the state government, and other stakeholders had significantly enhanced the agency’s response to road maintenance needs across the state.
Usman, who handed over the affairs of the field office to his successor, Dr Atiku Abubakar, also commended FERMA’s Managing Director, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, for finding him worthy of the new responsibility.
He described his transfer as an “epoch-making event” marked by mixed feelings, having worked with staff, stakeholders and other partners in Kebbi since 2007.
“This is an epoch-making event, and I am standing here with mixed feelings. I am leaving people I have worked with since 2007,” he said.
Usman said his years of service had provided him the opportunity to contribute to the development of Kebbi and Nigeria, stressing that public service was about diligently serving the people.
He expressed confidence in Abubakar’s ability to consolidate the achievements recorded by the field office and urged staff and stakeholders to give him maximum support.
According to him, the Kebbi Field Office distinguished itself through hard work, professionalism, effective monitoring and sustained stakeholder engagement, earning a first-place rating among FERMA field offices nationwide in 2023.
“We will work together to ensure that FERMA gets the best performance and rating. Let us remain united and give the incoming field officer maximum support.
“Our focus must remain on monitoring, synergy, engagement and ensuring pothole-free roads all year round,” he said.
Usman also paid tribute to FERMA personnel who died in the course of service and retirees who served the agency diligently in the state.
He appreciated the media for its sustained partnership with FERMA, saying journalists had helped to project the agency’s activities and provide useful feedback from motorists and other road users.
In his remarks, Abubakar commended Usman for his achievements and contributions to the development of the field office, describing his new assignment as well deserved.
“We thank the outgoing Road Maintenance Engineer for making the FERMA Field Office what it is today.
“His transfer has elicited mixed feelings among his colleagues because he has spent more than 20 years here. However, we should also be happy for him because his new assignment as Acting Zonal Director in Sokoto is for his own good and career progression,” he said.
Abubakar said the Kebbi Field Office had earned a reputation for effective handling of FERMA projects because of Usman’s dedication and professionalism.
He assured staff that he would build on the foundation laid by his predecessor and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders to improve the condition of federal roads across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the staff, FERMA’s Internal Auditor in Kebbi, Mr Sadiq Muhammad, commended Usman for his contributions to the growth of the field office.
Muhammad said staff enjoyed working with Usman and would miss his leadership, while expressing optimism that his new assignment would bring greater success to him and FERMA.
He assured Abubakar of the staff’s maximum cooperation and support in sustaining the achievements of the field office and advancing FERMA’s road maintenance mandate.
The ceremony was attended by FERMA staff, stakeholders, and other guests, who commended Usman for his dedicated service and wished him success in his new assignment.
