Governor AbdulRazaq Retireites Readiness to Open up more Market hubs ...as Kwara RAAMP hosts Agro-logistics Workshop in Ilorin

By Ishola Gbenga anipr

The Chairman Nigeria Governors' Forum and Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON, said his administration would continue to adopt open and transparent process in fast tracking even distribution of dividends of democracy to all nooks and crannies of the state, specifically in the aspect of creating more agro-logistics hubs to boost the state’s economy.
Governor AbdulRazaq stated this in Ilorin at a workshop organised by the national office of the Agro-logistics department of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), held in IlorinKwara State capital. 

The Governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon Abdulquawiy Olododo, noted the importance of agro-logistics component in the RAAMP project as from construction and rehabilitation of rural roads across states. 
According to him, the agro-logistics component of RAAMP presents crucial steps towards strengthening the agricultural sector, empowering farmers, boosting food security, and promoting economic growth. He added that his administration constructed Gbugbu International Produce Market in Edu LGA in recognition of agriculture as the nerves centre/backbone of the economy of Kwara State and the need to improve the agriculture value chain among other investments in the agricultural sector.
He noted that the proposed improvement of agro-logistics centres, when completed, would surely complement the efforts of the state government in numerous ways.

"Looking back, there is no gainsaying that the workshop was germane as it is no longer news that RAAMP has come to stay in Kwara as there are palpable proofs and strong indications that indeed, RAAMP is firm, deeply-rooted and eminently prepared to contribute its quota for the continued growth and advancement of not only Kwara, but other RAAMP participating states too.
"Our administration is very committed to opening more markets of international standards accross the three Senatorial Districts in the state for economy development through the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads and provision of other social amenities, and by extension, making life more meaningful for our farmers in terms of eradicating loss of harvests. I want to urge communities across the 16 local government areas of the state to embrace the RAAMP project because it presents ample of opportunities to them, specifically on how they can also contribute to the enhancement of mankind through their supports and other ways of commitments to encourage government to do more.

"In addition to direct gains by the host communities, following the local content policy, the hinterlands would definitely experience a wide-range boom in economic activities, for which the envisaged benefits are hinged on the improved conditions of the markets after intervention, in addition to jobs creations, particularly to women and youths, which the project would stimulate, among other sundry advantages".
The Herald recalls that on Friday, 25th October, Kwara RAAMP advertised in two national dailies, the Construction Services for the Physical Improvement of 3 Agro-logistics Centres (ALCs), in Kwara State (Lots 1, 2 & 3) for interested and qualified bidders to apply in line with the laid down guidelines and standards of the World Bank. No doubt, the RAAMP project aligns with the government’s commitment to revolutionize rural infrastructure for agricultural development and the creation of more modern markets in the state.
In his welcome address, the RAAMP National Coordinator, Engr Aminu Bodinga Muhammed described Agro-logistics as a major component in the RAAMP project as it has to do with add values to economy of the state as well boots farming and harvests processes.

Engr Aminu who was represented by the RAAMP Agro-logistics Officer, Engr Salisu Abubakar commended the Kwara State government under the leadership of Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq CON and Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) for his well focused and results driven administration over the years. Adding that, the gains of good governance of the governor's leadership style have reflected in every aspect of the state.
Earlier, the State RAAMP Acting Project Coordinator, Engr. Dr. Isaac Kolo who welcomed participants from the invited states such as Akwa Ibom, Abia, Ondo, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun and Kwara as the host state, seized the opportunity to analyzed the efforts of the state government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq CON in the agro-logistics sector of the state and it's firm intrest in RAAMP as whole, assured that the state is fully ready for the practical implementation of the Agro-logistics hubs accross the three Senatorial Districts of the state which were resolved to be placed at locations such as Ajase-Ipo, Alapa, and Kaiama) and more rural roads that will spread .

Dr. Kolo also urged the people of the state to reciprocate the kind gesture of the Kwara State government under the leadership of Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq CON and Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), by creating an enabling environment through meaningful partnership with developmental agencies to bring development to the rural dwellers and the State at large. 

According to the Project Coordinator, RAAMP was formally declared effective on March 16 2021 and it is a six- year programme co-financed by the World Bank with the aim of improving Rural Access and Trading Infrastructure in the participating states and had since received counterpart fund payment of N4billion from the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq.

The Project Coordinator described the Governor as a focused and determined leader who gets things done for the betterment of Kwarans without being distracted, calling on Kwarans, both at home and in the diaspora to key into the vision of the Governor which is set to do more to further put Kwara in the forefront where it belongs.

As a whole, the positive developments and the smooth pace at which Kwara RAAMP is moving towards the final implementation of the main civil work and the physical implementation of the three Agro-logistics hubs is so because, it is no more a hidden fact, that Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq led administration has posited to do much more to reach the hinterland and banish poverty to the barest minimum amongst the people of the state through opening of more access roads and upgrading of the three markets to a global standards in the State. 

That, of course, are among other major reasons that accounted for why the Governor have always been described as a man piloting a focused, friendly and results driven government, especially for paying more attention on bringing life to the system through sustainable partnerships with developmental agencies across all stratas.

It would be recalled that, on Monday, 21st October, Kwara RAAMP flag-off the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads totalling 209.77km. The event was well attended by relevant stakeholders both within and outside the State as the flag-off for the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads spanning 209.77km and connecting 16 local government areas is the fruit of huge investment, strategic planning, commitment to rural urban development and food security, and a strong drive for rapid socioeconomic growth and sustainable job opportunities.

Meanwhile, for these roads to stand the test of time through quality maintenance, the governor has also signed the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF) bills into law. He has also approved the constitution of the Boards of the Agency.
The workshop was well attended by officers from the RAAMP Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) as led by RAAMP National Coordinator Engr Aminu Bodinga Muhammed who was represented by the Head RAAMP Agro-logistics 

Ishola Gbenga Emmanuel is the Kwara RAAMP Development Communication Officer (DCO) 02/12/2024

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