Ondo State Government said it would construct a total of 1500 kilometers of rural roads across the state by the year 2026.It said the 1500 kilometers would be constructed under the Rural Access and Marketing Project (RAAMP).
Ondo RAAMP Project Coordinator, Engr Olusola Dada, said 700 kilometers of rural roads in the state would be constructed in the first phase while the next phase would cover 800km.
Engr. Dada said more rural roads would be constructed if additional funding were made available.
He spoke at a workshop on Road Sector Reform and commencement of the executive legislation bills for establishment of Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA) and the State Road Fund (SRF).
Read Also: Nigeria at crossroads, needs God–fearing judges – CJN Ariwoola
Engr Dada explained that the establishment of RARA and SRF were essential for the state government to access the $570m World Bank funding for the construction of rural roads in the state.
He said, “Let me therefore, humbly make a clarion call to all here present to kindly support the road sector reform using Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA) and State Road Funds (SRF) bill when the process of both initiation and passage kicks off today.” This is a laudable Initiative of the donor funded bodies supported and accepted by government for the betterment of the rural dwellers in the state.”
Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Rural and Community Development, Kolawole Babatunde, explained that state government keyed into RAAMP for ease of transporting agricultural products and prevent frequent spoilage of farm produce.
Babatunde noted that revamping of rural roads would helped to reduce issues of food scarcity and grant access for the rural parts of the state for marketing and farming activities.
Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, assured that the bill to establish both RARA and SRF would be speedily passed.