Governor Makinde Commits to Fixing 200km of Rural Roads in Oyo State through RAAMP
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, announced on Monday that the state will soon repair at least 200 kilometers of rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
The Governor emphasized his administration’s dedication to boosting agricultural output in the state, aiming to reclaim its prominence in agriculture and reduce youth unemployment.
Governor Makinde made these remarks while welcoming delegates from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) during their courtesy visit to his office.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, the Governor revealed that the administration plans to rehabilitate over 200 kilometers of rural roads in 2021 through RAAMP.
He said, “We are excited about this program because the four pillars of our administration are education, health, economic expansion, and security. In expanding our economy, we are focusing on our comparative advantage in agriculture.
“We are determined to enhance our agricultural output. This initiative is timely for us, as agriculture and agribusiness are key to removing many unemployed youths from the streets.”
Governor Makinde praised RAAMP for its commitment to improving rural roads in the state. He also assured that the special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project would receive top-level support from the state government.
“I want to thank IFAD for their involvement in RAAMP. Although we are about to start, we plan to fix over 200 kilometers of rural roads this year.
“When Dr. Debo Akande informed me of this visit, I prioritized it to highlight the importance we place on the SAPZ program. You can expect unwavering support and attention from the highest level of the Oyo State government,” the Governor added.
Earlier, Dr. Chucks Ezedinma, the team lead of the African Development Bank, mentioned that the bank is currently in the country for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) appraisal. He noted that the program is designed for six states, including Oyo State.
He said, “I bring greetings from our president, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. The bank is here to appraise the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, a key strategic program for Africa.
“The project, which targets six states including Oyo, aims to be transformational, youth-oriented, gender-inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and mindful of climate change.