Mohammed flags off construction of 115km roads

Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed has flagged off the construction of a 115-kilometer road across the three senatorial districts.

The project is under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) and aims to boost agricultural marketing and improve the livelihood of residents.

Speaking at the inauguration of the roads on Friday, Mohammed said that the state government contributed N2.4 billion as counterpart funds to the projects.

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The governor said that the RAAMP project to be implemented over five years, is to provide sustainable access roads in rural areas to facilitate agricultural activities, and enhance economic opportunities for the rural populace and emphasized the state’s commitment to the project.

The 115km roads awarded are; 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,” Mohammed said.

“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.”

Mohammed said the contracts “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.“

The Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties, Farouk Mustapha, said the event as a fulfillment of the administration’s campaign promises.

“This event is a fulfillment of campaign promises to provide access roads to the rural populace,” Mustapha stated.

“Today, true to the character of our amiable governor, we are witnessing the fulfillment of the promise in the flag-off of five rural roads across the state.”

The National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga, commended the governor and noted that the projects would be significant and improve lives in rural communities.

He revealed that an additional 155 kilometers of rural roads are being prepared, bringing the total to nearly 300 kilometres by the end of 2024.