Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has officially flagged off the construction of the 19.1-kilometre Itungwa-Mgboko-Amaise-Amairi- Omoba-Abiaba-Nkwo-Elechi Road, with a firm commitment to enhancing rural development and agricultural productivity across the state.
The road project which is expected to significantly improve transportation and stimulate economic growth in rural the communities, is part of the World Bank-assisted Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP),
Speaking at the event held at the Railway Crossing, Omoba, Governor Otti emphasized that the construction of the road marks a milestone in his administration’s efforts to improve rural access and enhance the state’s agricultural value chain.
The Governor noted that despite the state’s abundance of arable land and favorable climate, many communities have struggled with poor road infrastructure, which has limited the potential of local farmers and entrepreneurs.
He underscored his administration’s commitment to rural development, and highlighted that the new road would improve transportation conditions and facilitate better access to markets for farmers, thereby addressing food insecurity, unemployment, and rural-urban migration.
“Our capacity to effectively make the most of the advantages conferred on us by nature will be determined by the structures and systems we put in place to spur the productivity of the general population, creating incentives for hard work, and commensurate reward for enterprise.
“Truly, we have gathered to flag-off a road project but the significance of this event goes beyond roads and creating new paths for commuters. This exercise sends a clear signal that we are mindful of even development across all parts of the State, and that no part of Abia shall be left behind in our push to create a support system for those who dare to dream. In Abia, the days of small dreams and mediocre vision are long gone”, Gov Otti said.
Governor Otti while noting that his government has initiated several projects aimed at rebuilding the state’s infrastructure, said that the Itungwa-Mgboko-Amaise-Amairi-Omoba Road, which had remained on the drawing board for years, is one of many projects prioritized by his administration.
Governor Otti revealed that the road is the first phase of the RAAMP initiative in Abia State, ande revealed that, “Between now and the end of the year, we shall award more contracts for the construction and upgrade of roads, covering up to 256 kilometres across the state”.
The Governor further noted that the RAAMP project, which focuses on creating integrated infrastructure to support rural communities, will also involve the improvement of six agro-logistics hubs in markets across the state’s three senatorial districts.
He highlighted the establishment of the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) for road maintenance and the creation of the State Road Fund (SRF) to raise funds for timely repairs of roads across the state and disclosed that the state government had already paid N600 million in counterpart funding for RAAMP and approved an additional N2.6 billion to facilitate project execution.
