The newly appointed Federal Road Maintenance Engineer (FRME) of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Kebbi state field office, Engr. Dr. Abubakar Atiku Sadiq, has pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Engr. Rilwanu Usman Zagga, while strengthening partnerships to improve federal road infrastructure across the state.

Sadiq made the pledge during the formal handover ceremony in Kebbi, where Zagga, who had served as FRME for about a decade, transferred responsibility for the state’s FERMA operations to his successor.

Describing the transition as a “competence-to-competence” handover, the new FRME said he considered his appointment both an honour and a responsibility, particularly as he would be serving his home state.

“Today marks the beginning of my tenure as the engineer in charge of FERMA, Kebbi State. I am delighted and highly honoured to be here to serve my home state and my nation,” he said.

Sadiq said he would sustain the institutional relationships established under Zagga and work with the Kebbi state government, federal government agencies, private organisations, professional bodies and unions to improve road maintenance and deliver better services to road users.

He specifically commended Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, and other stakeholders for their roles in the development of the state, stressing that collaboration would remain central to his administration of the FERMA field office.

The new FRME described Zagga as a competent, hardworking and committed engineer who had dedicated more than 20 years of service to FERMA, all of which were spent in the Kebbi State Field Office.

According to him, Zagga joined the agency after initially working through a private consultancy firm and subsequently completing his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, before securing permanent employment with FERMA.

Sadiq noted that Zagga’s lengthy service and approximately 10 years as FRME had given him a deep understanding of the agency’s operations and enabled him to establish strong relationships with staff and stakeholders.

He assured members of staff that Zagga’s departure from the state office should not be viewed as a loss, noting that he had only moved to the zonal level.

“The good news is that he has not been moved far away from you. He is still with you at the zonal level. Another good news is that you have his brother as his successor. I will continue from where he stopped,” Sadiq said.

He called on FERMA staff to embrace teamwork, saying the agency could only achieve greater results through collective effort and continuity.

The incoming FRME also expressed appreciation to FERMA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer for the confidence reposed in him, describing the agency’s leadership as a long-standing source of mentorship and professional guidance.

He recalled the support he received from the MD/CEO when he embarked on his doctoral studies in the United Kingdom.

In his remarks, the outgoing FRME, Zagga, congratulated his successor and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the agency effectively.

Zagga described Sadiq as an experienced and hardworking engineer who had previously served as FRME in Kaduna and Lagos states before returning to Kebbi to take up the new responsibility.

He thanked FERMA management, staff and stakeholders in Kebbi for their support throughout his tenure and prayed for the success of the new administration.

Staff of the Kebbi field office also commended Zagga for his years of service and leadership, while welcoming Sadiq and expressing confidence that his experience and familiarity with the state would help strengthen FERMA’s operations.

The transition, marked by goodwill and prayers for both engineers, signals continuity in FERMA’s efforts to maintain federal roads in Kebbi, with the new FRME promising to consolidate existing gains and pursue stronger stakeholder collaboration for improved road infrastructure.