From ABBAS GUNGURA, Bauchi
In a bid to continue delivering dividends of democracy, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has launched the construction of twelve rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The initiative aims to improve transportation, agricultural access and socioeconomic development across several local government areas.
The projects included the 24-kilometre Lanzai–Papa Road, 14.45-kilometre Misau–Beti–Maladumba Road, 28-kilometre Gamawa–Sakwa Road, 14.75-kilometre Dargazu–Gambaki–Chinade–Gangai corridor as well as the Yana–Faggo and Giade–Tagwaye roads measuring 6.68 and 6.6 kilometres respectively.
Speaking during the flagging-off of one of the projects in Gamawa on Monday, Governor Bala Mohammed affirmed the state’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to ensure successful RAAMP implementation.
He stated that the initiative was driven by the needs of rural communities.
The governor also appreciated the Federal Government, the World Bank and other development partners for their intervention.
He urged the benefiting communities to cooperate with contractors, safeguard project sites and take ownership of the infrastructure to ensure sustainability and long-term benefits.
Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties, Faruq Mustapha, said the administration had so far flagged off 134 kilometres of strategic rural roads, most of which had reached appreciable completion levels.
He commended Governor Mohammed for his political will, particularly the constant payment of counterpart funds to development partners, and appealed to the beneficiaries to act as watch-dogs for the facilities.
The National Project Coordinator for RAAMP, Engr Aminu Mohammed, explained that the second phase of the project, covering 203 kilometres, was designed to enhance access to markets, hospitals and schools.
He urged contractors to maintain high standards and ensure timely completion.
Engr Mohammed also praised the governo for his commitment to improving citizens’ quality of life and revealed that Bauchi State had provided over six billion Naira in counterpart funding, urging other states to emulate the gesture.