RAAMP is committed to rehabilitating rural road, improve transport, enhance access to
market Engr Aminu declares
The Rural Access and The National Coordinator of Agricultural Marketing project Raamp has declared that (RAAMP) is a testament to the commitment designed to rehabilitate rural roads , improve rural transport infrastructure and provide enhanced access to markets.
Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed who was represented by the National development communication officer ,Mrs Vivian Amadi,made this declaration at the groundbreaking and flag-off ceremony of the 19.1km pilot road in Àbia State under the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project Raamp by his excellency Dr Alex Chioma otti.
Engr Aminu in his word,”This project represents much more than the construction of a road.It is a pathway to progress, a bridge the prosperity, and a channel through which rural communities can access the opportunities they need to thrive”.
” Today marks the beginning of a journey that will transform lives, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance market access for rural farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs across this region”.
He noted that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and other stakeholders, remains deeply committed to addressing rural infrastructure challenges.
According to him”The 19.1km pilot road in Àbia State is a bold step forward in realizing this vision”.
Speaking further,he commended the efforts of the Àbia State Government led by Alex otti, local authorities and all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to make the groundbreaking possible and also encouraged stakeholders to maintain the highest standards of excellence, transparency and accountability throughout the construction process.
Dr Alex Chioma otti while speaking in occasion reiterated that Abia is willing to work with regional and international development partners to achieve our governance agenda in infrastructural development and social services delivery, especially in health, education and public transportation.
In his word “As the take-off of this Project has demonstrated, we are prepared to do whatever is required, within the ambit of the law, and subject to the availability of resources, to execute projects that have direct impact on the welfare of our people”.
He revealed that the 19.1 kilometre stretch of road is only the pilot phase of RAAMP in the State and announce that between now and the end of the year, the state shall, subject to the ratification by our project partners, award many more contracts for the construction and upgrade of roads extending up to 256 kilometres spread in different parts of the State.
Speaking further he pointed out that RAAMP is an integrated infrastructural development framework set up to stimulate the economic transformation of our rural communities.
“RAAMP is about bringing the markets to the farms, cutting out post-harvest losses and increasing the profit margin of our farmers who would no longer have to travel long distances to access markets in the urban centres”.
Otti noted that to To sustain the anticipated gains of RAAMP, the government have effectively set up mechanisms for the establishment of support structures, including the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) which will see to the continuous maintenance of the roads at the end of the RAAMP cycle and that the state is also working on the modalities for setting up the State Road Fund (SRF) for the purpose of raising funds for timely maintenance of the roads.
He also announced
That although the project is supported by the World Bank, the State has effectively taken ownership of the deliverables, the state government have since paid the N600 million counterparts funding for RAAMP, have also approved the release of additional N2.6 billion to facilitate effective project execution and cut down incidences of delays over the entire project cycle.
Also speaking the acting project Coordinator of Abia State Rural Access and Agricultural Market Project (ABIA RAAMP) engr Donatus Chubuihe Chinyere thanked his Excellency Dr Alex Otti for making this project a successful one by ensuring that the rural areas received the necessary attention needed. ” Your visionary leadership and commitment to rural development has been instrumental to prioritizing this project” engr. Donatus stated.
He also acknowledge the effort of the supervisory Ministry – Ministry of poverty alleviation and social protection, ably led by the Hon. Commissioner Mrs Ngozi Felix and support by the permanent secretary Mrs Becky Oguama, for their collaborative measure in making this projects achievable.
In addition, Engr. Donatus noted that RAAMP being a third generation project stands as a beacon of hope for the rural communities, with its primary objective being the enhancement of rural access and agricultural marketing in participating state.
The highlight of the event was the official ground breaking and flagging off the road construction by his excellency Dr Alex Chioma otti who was accompanied by his Deputy Engr Ikechukwu Emetu and other notable dignitaries.
