Why RAMP failed under Okorocha – Director

Country Director, French Development Bank (AFD), Paschal Grangeneau has advanced reasons the Rural Access and Mobilization Project (RAMP), a World Bank initiative, failed under the immediate past government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

Governor Emeka Ihedioha Tuesday flagged off the 380.7 kilometer project that would cut across the 27 local government areas of the state few days after paying 15 per cent of the state’s counterpart fund for the N13.5bn project.

Grangeneau said Okorocha’s government failed  because of the dubious demands by the ex governor and his officials.

He stated that: “When we came here some months back, we were told that for us to carry out our project, we will settle the entire community, settle the traditional rulers, youths, and other bodies itemized by the officials of the former governor.

“We were also asked to buy a property for the former governor or money in like sum. We were asked to increase the counterpart fund so that when the development agencies take theirs, the government officials will have what to work with. These situations became unbearable for us and we had to leave.

“Coming back here several months later to see that a governor can agree to pay his counterpart fund without monetary demands from us gives us joy.”

While  thanking Governor Ihedioha for doing in two months what the erstwhile governor could not do in eight years, Grangeneau gave assurance that the projects would be delivered on time and it would be of great quality.

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