Food Security : Buhari, partners launch rural feeder roads worth $575m

The Federal Government (FG) under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari in partnership with two International partners has this Tuesday launched a rural feeder roads project that will cut across 19 states of the federation for food security.

President Buhari said that the roads construction objective is to enhance easy evacuation of farmers' produce from farm gates to marketplaces as there would be tremendous reduction in food wastages for the reason of lack of road.

The Governor of Kebbi State, Babagana Zulum who represented the President Buhari at the official launching of the project organized by Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in Abuja stated that the total sum of the project shall be funded by Nigerian government through the participating states, International Development Association (IDA) and French Development Agency in ratio proportions of $65m, $280m and $230m.

The benefitting states according to president are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Kogi, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Niger, Plateau, and Sokoto.

President Buhari promised that his administration would continue to change the narrative of the economy through the diversification of different initiatives, adding that “The project, with a total outlay of US$575 million, will be jointly financed by the International Development Association (IDA), the French Development Agency, and the participating states"

He said that “The contribution from the IDA is US$280 million, the contribution from AFD is US$230 million (Euro 200 million equivalents) and the contribution from the government is US$65 million respectively”

 “We have made all efforts to ensure that all projects align with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of this administration. This plan set out in the first instance, to restore macroeconomic in the short-term and to undertake several reforms in infrastructure investment to diversify the economy and set it on the path of sustained inclusive growth over the long term"

Mr. President stressed further that “Indeed, the multi-sectoral approach of RAAMP makes it a microcosm of the Economic Recovery& Growth Plan ( ERGP). I commend the World Bank and other development agencies. It is my administration plan to ensure that every state benefits from this laudable project. It is also pertinent to states here that this administration remains committed to changing the narrative of the economy through diversification of initiatives like this one.”

Also, the World Bank Country Director at the event, Shubham  Chaudhuri said that his bank would continue to  support Nigeria but advised that a rational choice must be made on either to expend money on motor spirit subsidy or better invest in agriculture so as to be able to meet her financial obligations on this projects, saying there is need to divert N6 trillion being yearly expended on  motor sprit be diverted to agricultural development.

Chaudhuri added that World Bank’s board had approved over $9.2 billion for Nigeria which he described as the largest in the world saying his bank would continue in its responsibility to support Nigeria in her rural infrastructural development.

Speaking also, the Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri hailed the launch of RAAMP for the progressive role the project will impact on social economy of the rural people saying that  ‘’ we are looking for every avenue of assistance and RAAMP readily comes into it for access roads, especially Agriculture, and Bayelsa state is more of rural state. So keying into RAAMP will also alleviate damages caused by the flood we have experienced this year’’