More Rural Access Marketing Project in 36 States by FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to establish the Rural Access Marketing Project (RAAMP) in 36 states across the country, in a move aimed at boosting agricultural marketing and increasing income for farmers. According to the National Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Mr Aminu Mohammed,  during the agency’s annual retreat and training of staff in Calabar noted that RAAMP was poised at making a remarkable impact across the country, hence the need to extend the project to all states.

He expressed delight over the increase in the number of participating states to 20, noting that the successes recorded from the project’s commencement in 2008 in Cross River and Kaduna paved the way for its growth.

In particular, he urged participating states to be more involved in putting the project into action, noting that this would help them get more money to improve their rural roads. “Some of the state project coordinators are doing very well; all hands must be on deck to achieve the goals of the project because there will be more funding if we are able to do the job well.

“We are looking at making the project multi-phased and also introducing technology in its implementation because we believe that we will achieve more using technology,” he said. In his opening remark, the Governor of Cross River state, Ben Ayade, called on the staff of the project to put national interest above their ethnic, religious and political inclinations in the discharge of their assignment.

Represented by the State Commissioner for International Donor Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong, he described RAAMP as a multi-dimensional project capable of positively changing lives, especially those of rural dwellers. He therefore pledged to keep supporting the vision of RAAMP in its aim to make life more meaningful to rural dwellers across the country. Also, the World Bank Tasks Team Leader, Mr Olatunji Ahmed, allayed fears of the challenges that might hinder the smooth running of the project, assuring the staff of the readiness of the bank to ensure a seamless implementation process.

Meanwhile, the staff was trained on project management, team building in service delivery and Systemic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP), among others.