From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), has identified over 2000 kilometres of roads for construction to improve transportation across the state.
The State Project Coordinator, Engr. Malami Umar Tambuwal said the State government has approved an additional N400 million as its counterpart contribution to the projects and the funds will be released soon.
The project is being supported by the World Bank and other development partners and is in progress and expected to be winding off in 2026.
Over 2000 kilometres of roads will be reconstructed under the project in phases while the construction of 500 km of roads will be in the first phase of the project soon.
However, about 72 rural community markets are billed for reconstruction and already six markets have been designed for rehabilitation to new modern markets.
He said the construction works of the top three priority out of six markets will begin and be completed before the end of December this year.
RAAMP Coordinator in the state said the reconstruction works of the three markets will gulp more than N2 billion.
The three community markets to be reconstructed in the first phase of the projects were Bodinga, Illela and Gada respectively.
The construction works would provide the markets with the needed essential amenities such as a drainage system, loading bay, refuse collection dumps, and water supply system.
The enacted law will pave the way for the Establishment of Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA) and State Roads Funds (SRF) to ensure the maintenance of all roads constructed under the RAAMP.
To facilitate that, a market stakeholders meeting/workshop was held and the traders explained their needs and grievances for solutions for the effective operation and improvement of business activities in the respective markets.
The project period may be extended for the states that have performed well.
The rural people are aware of what we are doing and are happy with the new development as RAAMP engages business communities as key stakeholders.
The 23 local government areas in the state would benefit from the projects and rural populists are happy to even see us in their areas measuring their dilapidated roads for renovation.
The project has considered hard-to-reach or no-go areas due to the banditry activities.
The construction works may be suspended in these areas pending the improvement of security situations.
He commended the state government for its efforts toward ensuring the execution of the project was successful.
The State government is fulfilling its mandate of releasing its counterpart funds as when due for the successful implementation of the project.