The Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), a World Bank-funded initiative, is set to construct 534 kilometers of rural roads across Benue State to facilitate agricultural transportation and improve market accessibility.
The State Project Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Numbeve, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Wednesday.
According to Numbeve, the project also includes the construction of warehouses to provide secure storage for agricultural produce, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.
“We have completed surveys, geophysical studies, and the final engineering road designs for the planned 534 kilometers of roads,” Numbeve said. “These roads will connect farms to markets, enabling farmers to transport their produce with ease.”
He explained that the project aims to cover all local government areas in the state, with no specific sequence for road construction. The roads, categorized as trunk C and D, are distinct from federal and state roads and are specifically designed to create access for rural farmers.
Numbeve noted that delays in the project’s commencement were due to the previous administration’s failure to pay the required counterpart funds, a prerequisite for accessing international funding.
“Other states moved ahead because they fulfilled this obligation,” he said. “However, with the new administration in place, the required counterpart funding has been provided, and we are now at the stage of accessing funds from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.”
He emphasized that while progress has been made, securing international funding involves meeting statutory requirements, including the payment of counterpart funds.
Numbeve also highlighted challenges encountered when he assumed office, such as inadequate office accommodation that did not meet the standards of the International Technological Association. This has since been addressed to ensure a politically neutral and professional working environment.
Once funds are secured, the project is expected to significantly improve agricultural productivity and market access across the state, supporting rural development and boosting the local economy.