Gov AbdulRazaq Flags Off Rural Road Construction Projects Worth N19.4b In Kwara

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Monday flagged off the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads totaling 209.77km, doubling down on his administration’s drive to connect the state’s agrarian hinterlands to the markets in the urban areas and strengthen food security.

The projects are being executed 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 the 209.77km for the benefits of the people while  giving N19,404,220,675.55 as the project costs.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that 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).

‘This flag-off of the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads spanning 209.77km and connecting 16 local government areas is the fruit of a 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 submitted in Ilorin at an event that attracted national and state parliamentarians, members of judiciary, cabinet members, and royalties.

Attendees of the event included Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon  Yakubu Danladi Saliu; Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central); Lola Ashiru (South); and Sadiq Umar (North); House of Representatives member Mukhtar Shagaya; Grand Kadi of 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 of the 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.

AbdulRazaq said the ‘RAAMP project’ aligns with the government’s commitment to revolutionizing 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 the country.

He also disclosed  that the government will soon award contracts for the construction of 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. 

The governor  urged the contractors and consultants to deliver these projects within stipulated time and design specifications while emphasizing the need for the communities where they are located 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. 

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 fulfill 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. 

Also speaking, Speaker Danladi described the project as another laudable initiative of the current administration which will go a long way to ease access to farm produce and contribute to socio-economic development of the state.

The Works Commissioner, Hon Abdulquawiy Olododo,  commended the governor and other key stakeholders for their contributions and tireless efforts that made the day a reality, noting that the road projects 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-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you