Ogun partners World Bank, AfDB to construct rural roads

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NIGERIA: OGUN State government, in collaboration with the World Bank and Africa Development Bank, would soon commence the construction of 500 kilometres of rural roads to enhance social-economic activities of the people in the hinterlands.

The plan is in addition to 500 rural roads the government has already earmarked upon for construction this year.

The Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting held at the Obas Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads under the Ogun State Rural Access and Mobility Project, RAMP 3.

According to the governor, the roads will cut across all the 20 local government areas and the newly created 37 local council development areas.

Speaking on the benefits of these projects, the Governor said that it would enhance agricultural development and help ease movement of agricultural produce, thereby enhancing the socio-economic status of the people.

Amosun, who promised that the work will be done by local contractors in the affected areas, stressed that this would empower local artisans and sub-contractors that will be engaged at that level.

While breaking down the areas to be handled by the World Bank, the consultant for RAMP, Dr. Emmanuel Adeyemo, said that the roads were selected for meeting certain universal criteria set by the donor agencies.

According to him, the roads must link either local market, hospital, school or the combination of the three in addition to connecting a state or federal road.

Adeyemo, who commended the government for cooperating with the World Bank, explained that the roads would be done in phases.

According to him, going by the plan the roads will be done in line with international specifications.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Mr. Wale Ogunyomade, assured that effective monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure quality job by contractors.

He further explained that the maintenance of the roads would be done in collaboration with the locals, who are the beneficiaries after handing over.

The stakeholders meeting which had in attendance, Obas, local chiefs, leaders of community development associations, local government officials and NGOs deliberated on modalities to make the project a success.

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