The Nsukka Professionals Association (NPA) has appealed to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently intervene and rehabilitate the failed portion of 9th Mile-Opi Expressway in Enugu State.

The group made the appeal when it paid a Save-Our-Soul visit to the Acting Managing Director of FERMA, Chimezie Amos, and his management team.

While commending the FERMA’s boss for his assurance of speedy intervention, the President of the association, Charles Nwodo, who led the delegation, told journalists, after the meeting, that the only reason for their visit was to present the issue of deplorable state of 9th Mile-Opi Expressway and the impact it is having on the economy of communities in the area to the management of FERMA.

He said: “We came to appeal for FERMA’s intervention in the failed road linking 9th Mile-Opi with Makurdi. It is the only link road between the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

“That road has completely failed and having grave impact on the economy and lifestyle of Nsukka people.”

The entire road is completely cut off from the rest of the country, and it is something nobody really wants to talk about. So, we came here to let FERMA know of the agony our people are going through for possible intervention, as it would improve the economic well-being of our people.”

Nwodo, however, disclosed that the Acting Managing Director of the agency graciously assured immediate intervention, possibly in the current budget that is being worked on.”
 
According to the NPA President, the FERMA acting boss promised that the agency would provide immediate palliative measures and restorative actions on that road. He said the Area Controller, South East, has been instructed to do an assessment of the road for immediate action.