O’RAMP Commissions 26 River Crossings, Flags-Off Construction, Rehabilitation Of 308km Roads

 

By Solomon Odeniyi

Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project has commissioned 26 River crossings constructed across the state.

Some of the river crossings constructed are; Elewonta river on Oke Ila, Ohun river on Dabongo, Oke-Afo/Alawe stream on Oke-Afo Ejeo river on Oyan, Otan Ayebaju and Olomu stream at Fidiwo among others.

It also flagged off the construction and rehabilitation of 308km second tranche of rural roads.

According to the state project coordinator, Engr Adelere Oriolowo, the completion of the first phase 214, 414, kilometers rural roads and 26 numbers of river crossings which included 4 bridges has helped  farmers to transport their farm produce to nearby markets as well as access other basic amenities which have helped improve the quality of their lives.

Oriolowo noted that the construction and rehabilitation of 308km second tranche rural roads in the state were grouped in 4 lots for easy implementation across the 20 local governments.

He said despite the paucity of funds, the timely release of parallel funds was a clear reflection of the governor’s commitment to meeting the yearnings of the people, adding that this was responsible for the impressive performance during the execution of the first phase of the project which has gotten the state RAMP another additional 50 million dollars from World Bank.

He assured the governor that the state would continue to maintain the lead role among other four states in the country participating in the second phase of RAMP.

The state coordinator promised that the project would be delivered on time and beyond expectations.

 

The National Coordinator of RAMP, Engr. Ubandoma Ularamu said a total of about 522.10km of rural roads and 26 numbers river crossings were being constructed/ rehabilitated all over the state.

This, he said would not have been achieved without the governor’s prompt payment of counterpart funds among other contributions to the project.

He added that the roads no doubt will turn around the economy of the state  as those in the rural areas would have guaranteed access to their farms, easy evacuation of farm produce, quick  and less costly access to the market, processing centers among others.

“I want to inform you that as the above impacts manifest there will also be good benefits that will be coming to the state through: the International Institute for Local Development, which will be giving out soft loans to Small holder farmers living along the corridors of all RAMP roads.

“Also Trade Health Education and Micro Finance Programme will use RAMP as a platform to provide a resolving soft loans for Agriculture Value Chain Development under the purview of African Development Bank.” Ularamu disclosed.

He noted that all the roads and river crossings would be maintained through a sustainable maintenance arrangement by creating an agency that would be providing the fund.

The governor said despite the paucity of funds his administration coughed out the money the state paid in form of counterpart funds to show how much importance his administration attached to issues of development of the state.