By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State Government has begun a stakeholder sensitisation for the development of Bills for the establishment of Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF).

Mr Zubairu Abubakar, State Coordinator, World Bank-supported Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna on Thursday.

Abubakar explained that the meeting was organised to sensitise relevant stakeholders on the development of the Bills that would ensure the development and maintenance of rural roads in the state.

He added that the meeting was also to generate ideas on establishing financing and institutional frameworks that would ensure sustained maintenance and management of the rural road network.

He explained that the development of the Bills would be supported by RAAMP, a rural access project being implemented in 19 states in the country.

The coordinator said that the project was designed to strengthen the institutional and financing base for sustainable management of state and rural networks.

He added that RAAMP was being funded through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).

He said that the project was being supported by the International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank, and the L’Agence Francaise de Development (French Development Agency or AFD).

Abubakar further said that the Kaduna state government would provide counterpart funds for the RAAMP project.  

The National Coordinator of the project, Alhaji Aliyu Bodinga, pointed out that RAAMP project would ensure rapid and sustainable development in rural areas.

This, he said, would be done through application of international project management best practices in the delivery of public sector projects.

Bodinga added that the road sector reform became necessary due to the poor conditions of rural roads across the country.

He explained that the RAAMP project would concentrate on class ‘C’ and ‘D’ roads.

Earlier, Mr Kabiru Mainasidi, Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the RARA and SFR legislation were prerequisite for accessing the World Bank support.

“This is expected to be done within 18 months after the subsidiary agreement finalisation and failure to comply will result in suspension of disbursements to the participating state.

“The RARA and SRF, if established, will catalyse the growth of agricultural businesses which will enable the agriculture sector to flourish and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of the state,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Sani Liman, the Chief of Staff to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, acknowledged that the condition of rural roads has a direct impact on the livelihoods of rural dwellers.

Liman noted that access to a well-maintained road network was crucial for the transportation of goods, services, and agricultural produce particularly in rural communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that some of the stakeholders at the meeting included the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Local Council Chairmen, Motorcycle Riders Association, members of the State Assembly, and trade unions, among others. (NAN)