By Ojotule Romanus
The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), has recorded remarkable milestone with the completion of 273.33 kilometers of rural roads across participating states in Nigeria.
This achievement is a major boost toward improving rural connectivity, enhancing agricultural productivity, thereby enhancing economic opportunities for farming communities in these areas.
National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga, made this known during the 9th Implementation Support Mission, held at the Golfview Suites and Conference Center, Lagos.
The event brought together representatives of the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and State Project Implementation Units (SPIUs) to assess progress, share experiences, and realign strategies for greater impact.
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A press statement by the Head of Communication, Kogi State office of the RAAMP, Mr. Adamodu Ali, a copy, which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja, has deslosed.
According to the statement, Engr. Bodinga stated that the 273km milestone reflects the project’s steady advancement across the 19 participating states, describing it as “a demonstration of commitment to transforming Nigeria’s rural landscape. Just as he, “He emphasized that RAAMP is not only delivering roads but also building prosperity, connecting communities, and reducing post-harvest losses” by linking farmers to markets and enabling the seamless movement of goods and services.”
He further revealed that 18 states have successfully enacted their Road Sector Reform Bills, institutionalizing sustainable road management systems. Out of these, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ekiti, and Sokoto States have gone a step further by fully operationalizing their reforms through the establishment of Directorates, Governing Boards, and dedicated maintenance budgets.
In his remarks, the World Bank Task Team Leader (TTL), Mr. Rakesh Tripathi, highlighted the importance of these reforms, stressing that the sustainability of RAAMP depends on the institutional strength of participating states. He cautioned that states unable to meet the reform benchmarks may be ineligible for the forthcoming project scale-up phase.
“RAAMP is a generational investment, Its full impact may not be immediate, but if properly implemented, it will reshape Nigeria’s rural economy for decades. Transparency, accountability, and institutional readiness are key to sustaining the gains.” Tripathi said.
He also reiterated the need for states to comply strictly with Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) provisions before the commencement of any civil works. According to him, donor institutions place a high premium on social safeguard compliance, adding that compensation of affected persons must precede project execution to maintain credibility and alignment with global
standards.
During the session, the Kogi State project Coordinator of the RAAMP, Engr. Sheidu Obansa, delivered an extensive presentation detailing the state’s milestones, challenges, and forward-looking strategies. His report highlighted the activities of several road segments and ongoing works designed to open up agricultural production belts.
The presentation received commendation from the mission’s technical experts and donor representatives, as well as participants who lauded Kogi’s clarity of vision and adherence to project standards.
Earlier in September, ahead of the Lagos session, a joint Agro-Logistics Centres (ALCs) assessment mission visited Kogi State as part of preparations for the 9th Mission.
The visit, which focused on the Aku Market site in Kogi Central, was aimed at evaluating the progress of rural market infrastructure designed to complement RAAMP’s road investments. The team made several recommendations to enhance design quality and ensure that the facility meets its objective of reducing post-harvest losses and improving rural trade efficiency.
Receiving the mission in Lokoja, the Kogi State Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Engr. Abdulmutalib Mohammed, reaffirmed the Ododo-led administration’s unwavering commitment to the success of RAAMP in the state. He commended the World Bank, AFD, and the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) for their consistent guidance and technical support, assuring that the Kogi State Government remains steadfast in implementing the project within approved frameworks and safeguard policies.
“RAAMP has become a model for sustainable rural transformation, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State is committed to ensuring that every kilometer of road and every market structure built under this project adds value to the lives of our rural dwellers. This administration will continue to support every effort that brings meaningful and lasting development to our communities.” He said.
The Commissioner also expressed confidence in the State Project Coordinator and his team for their professionalism and field-level coordination, which have earned the state commendations from partners and stakeholders alike.
