By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has flagged off the construction of rural roads worth N6 Billion in order to open up the areas, link communities and make transportation easier for the people.
The Construction of the roads is under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) while the roads are the 24-kilometre Lanzai–Papa Road, 14.45-kilometre Misau–Beti–Maladumba Road, 28-kilometre Gamawa–Sakwa Road, 14.75-kilometre Dargazu–Gambaki–Chinade–Gangai corridor, as well as the Yana–Faggo and Giade–Tagwaye roads measuring 6.68 and 6.6 kilometres respectively.
Speaking in Gamawa while flagging off the projects, Bala Mohammed reiterated the commitment of his administration to provide access roads in order to hard to reach communities across the State for easy accessibility and building new relationship.
Governor Mohammed said that his administration is committed to provide resources to strengthen RAAMP implementation maintaining that the initiative was driven the needs of rural communities.
The Governor noted that the aim is to ensure that the rural dwellers who are aggrarian farmers have easy accessibility for their agricultural products for economic growth and development.
He urged relevant stakeholders to close ranks with his administration in its efforts to develop the entire State through infrastructural development.
The Governor promised to always and promptly pay every counterpart funding to enable the people at the grassroots benefit and enjoy dividends of democratic governance.
While appreciating the Federal Government, World Bank and other partners for their intervention, Bala Mohammed urged the benefiting communities to cooperate with contractors, safeguard project sites and take ownership of the infrastructure to ensure sustainability and long-term benefits.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman, commended the Governor for his developmental efforts which has transformed the State from rural to urban areas.
He pledged that the Assembly will continue to support the Executive in the execution of beneficial projects for the citizens.
He called on the Contractors, handling the various projects to hasten their completion for the use of the people they are meant for.
State Commissioner of Rural Development and Special Duties, Hon Faruk Mustapha, told the people that since the State was created in 1976, no Governor has invested heavily in addressing the challenges of rural road network militating against development of the State like what Bala Mohammed is doing.
He said that under the administration, rural roads deficit have reduced tremendously as more rural areas have been opened up while communities hitherto separated have been linked up.
The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries of the gesture to reciprocate supporting the administration in its efforts to develop the state particularly as it gradually winds down.
Faruq Mustapha said the administration has so far flagged off 134 kilometres of strategic rural roads most of which have reached appreciable completion levels
On his part, the National Project Coordinator for RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed explained that the second phase of the project, covering 203 kilometres was designed to enhance access to markets, hospitals and schools, urging contractors to maintain high standards
While commending Governor Bala Mohammed for his commitment to improving quality of lives of the citizens, the National Project Coordinator disclosed that Bauchi State has provided over N6 billion in counterpart funding.
He pledged that RAAMP will continue to be supportive of the Government’s efforts in completion of the projects in line with specifications and quality.
Executive Chairpersons of the beneficiaries LGAs commended the Governor for the projects saying variously that the time the projects were completed, the communities will have unhindered access to each other there promoting economic growth and development.
The projects include the 24-kilometre Lanzai–Papa Road, 14.45-kilometre Misau–Beti–Maladumba Road, 28-kilometre Gamawa–Sakwa Road, 14.75-kilometre Dargazu–Gambaki–Chinade–Gangai corridor, as well as the Yana–Faggo and Giade–Tagwaye roads measuring 6.68 and 6.6 kilometres respectively.