Speaking at the occasion conducted separately in the benefiting communities, the governor said the momentous event which marks a significant stride towards complementing the efforts of his administration on rural development, and highlighted the strategic importance of the project, which aligns with the state’s broader vision of improving rural access and agricultural marketing.

According to him, the RAAMP project, is to be implemented over five years, with the aim of providing sustainable access roads in rural areas, thereby facilitating agricultural activities and enhancing economic opportunities for the rural populace. He emphasized the state’s commitment to the project, noting that a total sum of N2.4 billion had been provided as counterpart funding.

The governor underscoring the extensive groundwork that had been laid for this initiative, mentioned the 115km roads awarded as 30.33km Charachara-Ragwam-Magwanshi-Lafiya Road, 25.80km Mainamaji-Badara-Kuka-Pali Road, 18.88km Akuyam-Gwaram-Hardawa Road, 15.00km Durum-Nahuta Road, and the 25.00km Garin Gami-Gadai-Madufa Road totaling over N23 billion.

“We have demonstrated our strong political will on RAAMP project and we have supported the institutional and legislative reforms needed by the project. In our first tenure, we accomplished the project preparation in accordance with the project development objective agreed with the Federal Government of Nigeria, The World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the 19 participating states.

The contracts, Governor Bala noted, “have been duly procured by the World Bank in accordance with international best practices with highlighting the broader impact of these projects and expressed his satisfaction that this initiative represents an unprecedented level of attention to rural infrastructure in Bauchi State. “It is gratifying to note that this is the first time in the history of Bauchi State that rural areas are receiving such unprecedented attention in road construction, emphasizing the transformative potential of these roads for the state’s rural economy.

“The inauguration of these roads is more than just a step forward in infrastructure development; it is a promise kept, a vision realized, and a future secured for the rural communities of Bauchi State. With construction now underway, the state is set to witness a transformation that will enhance connectivity, boost agricultural productivity, and ultimately, improve the quality of life for its rural populace.”

The Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties, Farouk Mustapha, echoed the governor’s sentiments, framing the event as a fulfilment of the administration’s campaign promises. “This event is a fulfilment of campaign promises to provide access roads to the rural populace,” Mustapha stated.

He recalled the flag-off of the Liman-Katagum-Luda-Leka pilot road scheme in September 2023, where Governor Mohammed had promised to improve rural access roads. “Today, true to the character of our amiable governor, we are witnessing the fulfilment of the promise in the flag-off of five rural roads across the state,” he added, commending the governor’s dedication to rural development.

In a keynote address at the flag off of the 115km road, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga praised the Bauchi governor’s efforts, noting the significance of these projects in improving the living standards of rural communities.

“Let me commend the governor for his efforts toward rural transformation in Bauchi state by providing the needed rural transport infrastructure which in turn improves the living standards of our rural communities, reduces poverty, provides access to social amenities, and provides ease of transportation of agricultural produce,” Engr. Bodinga stated.

He further revealed that an additional 155 kilometres of rural roads are currently being prepared, bringing the total to nearly 300 kilometres by the end of 2024. As RAAMP prepares to roll out phase II of the project, Engr. Bodinga made a poignant request for continued support.

“As we prepare to roll out phase II before the end of 2024, I kindly request additional counterpart funds from His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed. To whom much is given, much is equally expected.”

The National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed made the assertion recently during the 7th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission of RAAMP at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, pointing out that most urban centers derive their supply of food from farms, which are located at the rural communities.

His words: “The primary objective of RAAMP is to improve rural roads and trading infrastructure through to boost food production. Therefore the successful implementation of this project could go a long way towards guaranteeing food sufficiency and security across the country,” as he sued for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure an all-round success of the project.

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Aminu noted that the mission was to evaluate the current implementation status, milestones as well as challenges faced by the 19  states participating in the project and announced that arrangements had reached an advanced stage for the commencement of civil works on agro-logistics centers (ALCs) latest by September 2024 with 23 major contracts that would be awarded across the states.

ALCs refer to market hubs that have been prioritized for transformation to ultra-modern standards at various locations across the country, notably in rural communities to empower and enhance the livelihoods of the people.

Also speaking, the Task Team Leader of the World Bank,  Mr. Rakeesh Tripathi hinted that a scale-up was being mooted for the project but emphasized that only states that must have established and operationalized the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF), backed up with the required standing on counterpart funds would be eligible to access the scale-up funds.

He therefore advised all states to take advantage of the mission and get the needed support to tackle every challenge facing their State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), adding that all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be encouraged to embrace the scale-up project.

The points of the exercise were presentations by the State Project Coordinators of the respective participating states, question and answer sessions, comments, and observations, among other inputs by the stakeholders.

The Task Team Leader of the French Development Agency, AFD; Consultants from the World Bank; the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU as well as State Project Implementation Units, SPIUs of RAAMP also attended the mission.

The Task Team Lead of the World Bank Transport Sector, Olatunji Ahmed, gave this commendation when he led the team to Ogun State, declaring that the Agrologistics component of the project would be difficult to beat by any other state.

Five southwest states and Kwara had converged on Ogun for a four-day 7th Implementation Support Pre-mission meeting in Abeokuta, the state capital between the 27th and 30th of May.

Speaking during the presentation of the Acting State Project Coordinator, Waheed Adejumo, Ahmed said “What I have seen the Ogun PIU done in the area of Agro-logistics is not only impressive but commendable. If it is commendable therefore as it is, it is worthy of imitation. They have shown us the backward and forward linkages, they displayed the value chains and clearly marked out the markets to intervene on”.

He, however, called for speed from the contractor handling the 13.1km Alapako-Oni/Mosa Junction demonstration road, Messrs. Springview Global Concept Ltd to meet the deadline of February 2025.

“We have been to Katsina, we were in Akwa Ibom and now here, Abeokuta. The contractor handling Katsina delivered four months ahead of the scheduled time, and that of Akwa Ibom is almost rounding up. The contractor here should increase its speed to meet up completion deadline,” Ahmed stated.

The Task Team Lead assured the contractor of a seamless payment flow even as he urged the consultant, Messrs AEC to deploy its experience to help both the client (SPIU) and the contractor.

Earlier in his opening remarks at the meeting, the Commissioner for Rural Development in Ogun State, under which the project is domiciled, Mrs Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, assured the visiting teams of the continuous support of the Governor Dapo Abiodun for infrastructural development.

“The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun places a premium on infrastructural development, be it rural or urban. To underscore the premium, he has given due support to the RAAMP Project in his State,” the Commissioner, who was accompanied to the opening by the Permanent Secretary, Sakirudeen Salam stated.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed has assured the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under which the project is domiciled of working round the clock to actualise the “Renewed Hope” Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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The purpose of the visit was twofold: to resolve existing hurdles in the project’s implementation and to collaboratively devise a roadmap for its seamless implementation in Ondo State. During the meeting, both parties engaged in constructive dialogue, focusing on enhancing rural access and facilitating agricultural marketing activities across the state.

Governor Ayiedatuwa reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the RAAMP initiative. He emphasized the establishment and operationalization of key institutions such as the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and the State Road Fund as pivotal steps towards achieving this objective. By bolstering infrastructure and logistical support, the state aims to optimize the benefits of RAAMP, thereby fostering economic growth and prosperity in rural communities.

The collaboration between RAAMP and the Ondo State Government underscores a shared dedication to enhancing agricultural productivity, fostering rural development, and improving livelihoods. Through continued partnership and concerted efforts, both entities are poised to overcome challenges and drive positive transformation across the agricultural landscape of Ondo State

source: FPMU DevCom Unit

Dr. Balarabe while speaking at the groundbreaking/flagging–off ceremony held in Kaura Local Government of Kaduna state, stated that the RAAMP Program which is charged with improving rural roads in Nigeria, is in alignment with the vision of the Governor of Kaduna state- Senator Uba Sani to bring sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the state.

She said:  “During our electioneering campaigns, we promised citizens of Kaduna State that this administration will focus on rural infrastructure seeing that in recent years, metropolitan cities in the state received good attention in infrastructural development. Projects like this road, from Tachira-Mayi-Kuwon-Assu, and the ones flagged-off for construction by His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, at Rigachikun on Thursday and today at Kubau LGA are meant to open up our rural areas so that our farmers can find ease in the transportation of farm in-puts and produce”

According to the Deputy Governor, good rural roads will facilitate connections between the Kaduna people and communities, and also improve the income of millions of farmers for whom agriculture is their main source of livelihoods.

In a statement by Amadi Vivian, RAAMP Development Communications Officer, the projects, when completed, will support the State Government’s efforts in stimulating economic growth, increasing sources of revenue and ensuring food security.

The Deputy Governor said:  “During our electioneering campaigns, we promised citizens of Kaduna State that this administration will focus on rural infrastructure seeing that in recent years, metropolitan cities in the state received good attention in infrastructural development. Projects like this road are meant to open up our rural areas so that our farmers can find ease in the transportation of farm in-puts and produce”

According to the her, good rural roads will facilitate connections between the Kaduna people and communities, and also improve the income of millions of farmers for whom agriculture is their main source of livelihoods.

She also stated that the benefits of the RAAMP Project are enormous for the state, therefore encouraging benefiting communities of the road to be fully involved by taking ownership of the road and safeguarding it from any form of vandalism or sabotage.

She assured that the state government will work closely with RAAMP, the contractors, the consultants, and the local government to ensure that the road project is delivered on time, on budget, and on quality.

Dr. Balarabe expressed the appreciation of the state government to the Federal government, the RAAMP Project and particularly the Development Partners (the World Bank and the French Development Agency AFD) for the financial support to the road Project.

Earlier the Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Agriculture, Mohammed Kabir Mainasibi in his welcome address, said that this flag off would commence the construction of many rural roads.

According to him, the roads when completed will help to connect communities and enhance the overall quality of life for our citizen. “The roads will also support the Kaduna state government effort in stimulating economic growth, revenue diversification and ensuring food security’’ he added.

He also urged the contractors handling the project to abide by all quality standards and specification. adding that there will be zero tolerance for poor quality work.

source:https://promptnewsonline.com/dep-gov-flags-off-n4-2bn-raamp-supported-road-project-in-kaduna/

The purpose of the visit was to inform the HMA of the activities of the Project, provide the level of implementation of the project, and also the implementation bottlenecks experienced so far.

Engr Aminu stated that the sector reform was introduced to ensure the sustainability of the rural infrastructure investment, as well as intimated to the HMA that plans are underway to expand the scope of the project to cover the states of the country including FCT, he said this was due to the high number of rural roads that are bad and in poor condition.

He also talked about the issue of capacity building, an opportunity to relate with other countries that have success stories of rural infrastructure, he said that rural roads are key to an increase in agricultural production.

Governor Dikko Radda made the commendation yesterday at the contractors yard when he paid an inspection visit to Danja-Bazanga-Nahuce with spur Bazanga-Kokami demonstration road.

Malam Dikko Umaru expressed immense satisfaction with the speed at which the construction work is going on and urged the contractors to double efforts so as to meet the timely completion of the job.

Earlier at the occasion, the Commissioner of Environment Alh. Musa Adamu Funtua briefed the Governor on the project and what it entails and also said that Katsina state RAAMP was the first to award a civil work contract for Danja-Bazanga-Nahuce Road with a spur from Bazanga to Kokami, a distance of 24.5km roads among 13no. Initial participating States.
The Commissioner of Environment also revealed that the project was awarded in the year 2022 at a total cost of two billion, four hundred and seventeen million six hundred and thirty-four thousand, five hundred and forty-six naira eighty kobo only. ( N 2,417,634,546.80).

Alh Musa Adamu told the Governor that the overall progress so far achieved is 62% with over 16km out of the 24.5km length and is expected to be completed in April 2024 based on the contractual agreement.

The Supervising consultant Sanusi Rufai of Kabir & Associates as well as Mr. Ziad of Mothercat Nig. Ltd briefed Governor Dikko Radda on the progress of the work, the successes achieved so far, and the challenges.

Hauwa’u Ibrahim El-ladan
Development communication officer.

The trainings which took place in Lagos state recently, are geared towards enhancing the capacity of RAAMP Infrastructure engineers on how to manage the supervising consultants and contractors during the project implementation; assist the engineers with strategies on quality assurance during the design and construction period, equip participants with the knowledge necessary to recognize climate-related risks in RAAMP interventions and to suggest approaches that will facilitate the mainstreaming of climate change vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience elements into project planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation.

Speaking at the event, the national Coordinator RAAMP, Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed in his opening remarks underscored the need for capacity building as it would develop and strengthen the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources needed to survive, adapt, and thrive in a fast-changing world

Engr. Aminu also stated that the Project is committed to equipping the skills of staff through training, while urging the staff to take the training seriously he also enjoined them to put what they have learnt into practice to ensure that the project achieves its objectives.

He expressed his profound appreciation to the World Bank and AFD for their technical and financial support and also to the organizers of the event.

Amadi Vivian
Development Communication Officer

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The objectives of the meeting were: majorly to identify bottlenecks to project implementation; proffer solutions to these bottlenecks, revision and upscaling of project activities as well as address emerging issues.