W'Bank, RAAMP commend Ogun, Seek Speed

L-R: World Bank Consultant, Engr. Gbenga Babalola; National Project Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Engr. Aminu Mohammed; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Engr. Sakirudeen Salam; Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon.Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan; Task Team Lead (TTL),World Bank, Engr. Olatunji Ahmed and Acting Project Coordinator, Ogun RAAMP, Engr. Waheed Adejumo during the opening of a four-day 7th Implementation Support Pre-Mission in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Monday. PHOTO: OGUN RAAMP

The World Bank team and the Federal Project Management Unit of the Rural Access And Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) have commended the Ogun State Government for the support given to the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) in running with the vision and mission of the Federal government on poverty reduction and wealth creation amongst the ruralites.

Task Team Lead of the World Bank Transport Sector, Engr. Olatunji Ahmed,  who led the team to Ogun State said the Agrologistics component of the project would be difficult to beat by any State.

Recall that the South West States, including Kwara but Lagos had converged on Ogun for a four-day 7th Implementation Support Pre-mission meeting in Abeokuta, the State capital between 27 and 30th May.

Speaking during the presentation of the Acting State Project Coordinator, Engr. Waheed Adejumo, the TTL said: “What I have seen the Ogun PIU done in the area of Agro-logistics is not only impressive but commendable. If it is commendable therefore as it is, it is worthy of imitation. They have shown us the backward and forward linkages, they displayed the value chains and clearly mark out the markets to intervene on,”

In a related development, Engr. Ahmed called for speed from the contractor handling the 13.1km Alapako-Oni/Mosa Junction demonstration road,  Messrs.  Springview Global Concept Ltd to meet the deadline of February 2025.

“We have been to Katsina, we were in Akwa Ibom and now here, Abeokuta. The Contractor handling Katsina delivered four months ahead of the scheduled time, and that of Akwa Ibom is almost rounding up. The contractor here should increase its speed to meet up completion deadline,” Ahmed stated.

He assured the contractor of a seamless payment flow even as he urged the consultant,  Messrs AEC to deploy its experience to help both the client (SPIU) and the contractor. 

Earlier during the opening of the meeting, the Commissioner for Rural Development in the State, under which the project is domiciled, Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, assured the visiting teams of the continuous support of the Governor, Dr Dapo Abiodun for infrastructural development.

“The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Omooba Dapo Abiodun places a premium on infrastructural development, be it rural or urban. To underscore the premium, he has given due support to the RAAMP Project in his State,” the Commissioner, who was accompanied to the opening by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Sakirudeen Salam stated.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of RAAMP,  Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed has assured the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under which the project is domiciled of working round the clock to actualise the “Renewed Hope” Agenda.