By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Several states cannot meet the 2018 deadline on the implementation of the Rural Assess and Mobilisation Project (RAMP), the National Coordinator of the programme, Mr. Ubandoma Ularamu, has said.
Ubandoma stated this yesterday at the flag-off of the project at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, Niger state.
The federal government and the World Bank joint sponsors of the programme had agreed that the funding of the projects at least by the World Bank should end next year.
He said the inability of some states to meet the set deadline was as a result of the delay in implementation experienced in all RAmP-2 states.
Ubandoma said the relevant agencies and the federal government were making arrangements to seek extension of the project completion time “as advised during the World Bank implementation support mission held in November 2017.”
The National Coordinator described rural connectivity as a critical component of government overall strategy for rural development, adding that “it promotes access to economic and social services and facilitates the growth process in our rural economy.”
“Improved connectivity reduces the cost of transportation of agricultural inputs and outputs, promotes diversification of crops and creation of non-farm employment opportunities,” he said.
Flagging off the programme, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said 176 kilometres of rural roads would be rehabilitated under the programme in the state.
