Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his administration’s readiness to carry out more rural projects for the state’s economic growth.
This is as he pledged support to the Osun Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project( RAAMP) which is an agent of rural development.
The Governor spoke while delivering a keynote address at a one-day State level stakeholders workshop on road sector reforms held in Osogbo.
The Governor said the aim of the project which is to improve rural access and agricultural marketing as well as strengthening the financing and institutional base for effective development is very encouraging.
The Governor who was represented by the Solicitor General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Morufat Bello stated that the development, management and maintenance of rural and urban roads is one of the top priorities of his administration, hence the need to give full support to the RAAMP project.
The Governor assured that whatever decision taken on the road sector reform during the course of the workshop would be pursued to a good conclusion.
In his part, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed commended Governor Adeleke for supporting the project with the prompt release of counter-part funds regularly.
He reiterated the interest of the Federal Government to continually support Osun state Government in the area of sector reform under RAAMP project to ensure the sustainability of the road investment.
Engr Bodinga encouraged the Osun State government to operationalise Rural Access Road Agency(RARA ) and State Road Fund (SRF), noting that the two institutions will help to sustain the enormous investment on state and rural roads, boost agricultural productivity and alleviate poverty.
Earlier in his welcome address, the project coordinator, Osun Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, Engr Popoola Okediya commended the state for its unflinching support and cooperation to the project in all project obligations .
Engr. Okediya explained that the agreement for admitting the state into RAAMP was that the participating state would pass bills establishing Rural Access Road Agency(RARA) and State Road Fund(SRF) into law within six months of effectiveness.
He highlighted the objectives of the workshop as enlightening the stakeholders on the need to discuss the bills and brainstorm on how the bills should be presented to the house of assembly for passage among others.
