The government, in partnership with a global financial institution, has earmarked $600 million for the refurbishment of 200,000 kilometers of rural roads through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project.
The Principal Information Officer at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ogbuagu Chika, shared this development in an official statement. During a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed that the World Bank will contribute $500 million while the federal and state governments will provide $100 million as matching funds.
Abdullahi highlighted that the RAAMP initiative, currently active in 19 states, aims to establish sustainable rural infrastructure. States are mandated to set up rural access road authorities and state road funds to ensure the maintenance and longevity of these roads. He noted that 16 out of the 19 participating states have already passed laws to create these entities.
The minister emphasized that a significant portion of the 200,000 kilometers of rural roads are currently impassable, hampering economic activities in rural regions. He emphasized that a large percentage of Nigeria’s population resides in rural areas, with agriculture contributing significantly to their livelihoods. However, the lack of functional rural roads hinders their ability to sell their produce and sustain their economic well-being.
Abdullahi also highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the government’s priorities, focusing on food security, inclusivity, poverty reduction, and employment generation. He underscored the robust collaboration with the global financial institution and the high demand from various states to join the program due to its success.
Furthermore, the parties involved have agreed to incorporate sustainability measures moving forward to ensure the long-term impact of the project. The National Coordinator of RAAMP, Aminu Mohammed, reiterated that the project’s core objective is to enhance rural road networks and improve agricultural marketing within those areas.