The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has been identified as a highly effective means of achieving food sufficiency and security across the country.
Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, made this assertion during the 7th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. He highlighted that most urban centers rely on food supplied from farms located in rural communities.
He stated, “The primary objective of RAAMP is to improve rural roads and trading infrastructure to boost food production. Therefore, the successful implementation of this project could significantly contribute to ensuring food sufficiency and security across the country.” He called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to ensure the project’s overall success.
Aminu noted that the mission aimed to evaluate the current implementation status, milestones, and challenges faced by the 19 states participating in the project. He announced that arrangements were in advanced stages for the commencement of civil works on Agro-Logistics Centers (ALCs) by September 2024, with 23 major contracts to be awarded across the states.
ALCs are market hubs prioritized for transformation to ultra-modern standards in various locations, particularly in rural communities, to empower and enhance the livelihoods of the people.
Mr. Rakeesh Tripathi, the Task Team Leader of the World Bank, indicated that a scale-up of the project is being considered. However, he emphasized that only states that have established and operationalized the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF), backed by the necessary counterpart funds, would be eligible for the scale-up funds.
He advised all states to take advantage of the mission to receive the support needed to address challenges faced by their State Project Implementation Units (SPIUs). He added that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be encouraged to participate in the scale-up project.
The mission included presentations from State Project Coordinators, question-and-answer sessions, and discussions among stakeholders. Attendees included the Task Team Leader of the French Development Agency (AFD), consultants from the World Bank, and representatives from the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) and SPIUs of RAAMP.