Kwara Gov AbdulRazaq flags off construction of 209.77km rural roads
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Kwara State Governor, on Monday, flagged off the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of no fewer than 209.77km of rural roads to drive the state’s agrarian hinterlands to the markets in the urban areas and strengthen food security.
The Informant247 gathered that the projects are being prosecuted under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), an initiative for which the administration has committed at least N4bn 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 had yielded the 209.77km costed at 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); Inaja-Alaro-Inaja Maliki (6.22km); Ijagbo-Aperun-Adeleke- Igbawere (6.85km); Kpandarako-Ginda- Kusomunu- Kachitako- Tsakpata Lealea- Gulufu Bacita (22.89km); and Lafiagi- Effagi – Putata road (9.53km).
Others 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).
The governor said, “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.”
AbdulRazaq said the RAAMP project aligns with the government’s commitment to revolutionise rural infrastructure for agricultural development in the state while commending 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.
The governor also announced that his administration would soon award contracts for constructing three Agro-logistics Centres, 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 Four Billion, Twenty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand Naira (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.
However, Senator Lola 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 while praising Governor AbdulRazaq for the payment of counterpart funds which is an essential requirement for accessing the grant, calling him a lover of the masses.
On his part, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu described the project as another laudable administration initiative that will greatly ease access to farm produce and contribute to the state’s socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo, the state commissioner for Works and Transport, commended the Governor and other key stakeholders for their contributions and tireless efforts that made the day a reality, noting 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.
Attendees included Speaker of the Kwara State 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; cabinet members; local government chairpersons; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi and other leaders of the party; National Coordinator for RAAMP Engr Aminu Muhammed represented by Hajia Khadijat Isiaq; State Coordinator for RAMMP Engr Isaac Kolo Kusomunu; and President Ilorin Emirate Descendants’ Progressive Union IEDPU Alhaji Abdulmumeen Abdulmalik; among others.
Royalties at the event were the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman 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.
