Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Monday flagged off the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of 209.77 kilometres of rural roads across the three senatorial districts.
The projects are being prosecuted under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), an initiative for which the administration has committed at least N4 billion counterpart funds in the last five years.
RAAMP is jointly funded by the World Bank and French Development Agency, with the state government providing counterpart funds.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the investments have yielded 209.77 km, gulping N19,404,220,675.55 for the benefit of the people.
The road projects include Alapa-Hoko (0.7km), Madi-Peke (17.5km), Mandala-Yowere-Agbonna (12.485 km); Gerewu-Eiyekorin- Okoolowo Expressway (3.07km); Panada-Oloro ((5.43km); and Inaja-Alaro-Inaja Maliki (6.22km).
Others are Ijagbo-Aperun-Adeleke- Igbawere (6.85km); Kpandarako-Ginda- Kusomunu- Kachitako- Tsakpata Lealea- Gulufu Bacita (22.89km); and Lafiagi- Effagi – Putata road (9.53km).
The rest are Oko Olowo- SokotoTafatafa -Elere-Owode Oja- Baba Kudu- Akopari- Otte Oja road (23.23km); Odo Ode- Soliu-Arogun-Ikotun-Oke Amin-Rondo- Offa road (22.08km); Babanla-Budo Idowu-Alasoro-Owode- Shagbe (10.53km); Kpada-Gakpan (9.58km); and Yakiru-Tabiru-Kenu rural road (59.69km).
“This flag-off for the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads spanning 209.77km and connecting 16 local government areas is the fruit of huge investment, strategic planning, our commitment to rural-urban development and food security, and our drive for rapid socioeconomic growth and sustainable job opportunities,” the Governor said.
AbdulRazaq said the RAAMP project aligns with the government’s commitment to revolutionize rural infrastructure for agricultural development in the state.
The Governor commended the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD) for providing the fund and the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for proper coordination of RAAMP activities in Nigeria.
AbdulRazaq announced that the government will soon award contracts for the construction of three Agro-logistics Centers, one in each senatorial district (Ajase-Ipo, Alapa and Kaiama) and more rural roads that will spread to other LGAs.
“On assumption of office in 2019, our administration immediately paid the first tranche of the counterpart fund. Between 2019 and now, our government has paid the sum of N4,026,891,000 as a counterpart fund. No amount was paid before 2019,” he said.
He urged the contractors and consultants to deliver these projects within the stipulated time and design specifications and urged the host communities to support the initiative.
“For these roads to stand the test of time through quality maintenance, I have signed the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF) bills into law. I have also approved the constitution of the Boards of the Agency,” he added.
Present at the flag-off were Speaker of the House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi Saliu; Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central); Lola Ashiru (South); and Sadiq Umar (North); House of Representatives member Mukhtar Shagaya; Grand Kadi Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen.
Also in attendance were cabinet members, local government chairpersons, State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi, and other leaders of the party.
They include the National Coordinator for RAAMP, Engr Aminu Muhammed, represented by Hajia Khadijat Isiaq; the State Coordinator for RAMMP, Engr Isaac Kolo Kusomunu; and President Ilorin Emirate Descendants’ Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumeen Abdulmalik; among others.
Royal fathers at the event were the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of State Traditional Council, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, represented by Etsu Patigi Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bolugi; Etsu Tsaragi Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Ndakpoto; Emir of Lafiagi Alhaji Muhammed Kawu; Olupako of Share Oba Olawale Haruna; among others.
Senator Ashiru, who spoke on behalf of other National Assembly members from the state, said many states of the federation, except Kwara, have long been benefiting from RAAMP intervention because the previous administrations in the state failed to fulfil the required obligations.
He praised Governor AbdulRazaq for the payment of counterpart funds which is an important requirement for accessing the grant, calling him a lover of the masses.
The Speaker, in his remarks, described the project as another laudable initiative of the administration that will go a long way to ease access to farm produce and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.
Abdulquawiy Olododo, the works Commissioner, commended the Governor and other key stakeholders for their contributions and tireless efforts that made the day a reality.
Olododo noted that the project will enhance connectivity, facilitate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for citizens.
“For this year 2024, not less than 170 road projects have been embarked upon across Kwara State with at least 65% of them already completed while others are progressing at an appreciable pace,” Olododo added.
The State Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr Isaac Kolo, said the government’s investments in rural road infrastructure and agro-logistics facilities showed that the Governor is visionary, goal-oriented and passionate about the people’s well-being.
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