Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has approved the release of additional N450 million as counterpart funding for Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Babale Umar-Yauri, and made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the approval now Kebbi State Government will benefit from the $60,000 World Bank Finance Programme.
He said approval of the additional counterpart funding was meant to improve RAAP in the state, adding that it will strengthen the financial and institutional base for effective development, maintenance and management of the rural road networks.
“It is the requirement of the World Bank for all states participating in the programme prior to the award of contracts to pay the counterpart fund.
“The payment of the counterpart fund will enable the project to continue in all the 21 local government areas of the state, which is expected to cover upgrading of rural roads (new roads) covering 73.76 kilometres and rehabilitation of existing ones covering 271.56 kilometres.
“Spot improvement covering 526 kilometres, agro-logistics centres (new markets) 5Nos, routine maintenance of rural roads covering 700 kilometres and construction of cross-drainage structures covering 80 metres,” he said.
According to him, it is expected that the award of the contracts shall commence before the end of the year.
The SSG further stated that the governor approved the appointment of Mr Bello Muhammad as the new State Coordinator of the project to replace Mr Idris Adamu who had retired from service. (NAN)