Bauchi Gov Flags Off Construction Of 115km Rural Roads

Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has flagged off the construction of about five rural roads connecting several agrarian communities across the state, totalling about 115km stretch.

LEADERSHIP reports that the awarded roads include Hardawa-Akuyam, Garin-Gami-Madufa, Charachara-Lafiya, Mainamaji – Pali and Durum-Nahuta roads.

Similarly, the construction of roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), supported by the World Bank and Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), seeks to improve access to markets for agricultural products for food security.

Speaking in Harɗawa on Wednesday, Governor Mohammad Said the construction of the roads is expected to significantly impact the lives of benefitting communities, improving access to markets, healthcare, and education.

He highlighted his administration’s commitment to rural transformation, pledging to ensure prompt payment of counterpart funds for the project’s success.

Governor Muhammad urged the construction firm to execute the projects according to specifications and encouraged community members to support contractors.

He said the Bauchi government had paid over N2bn counterpart fund for the projects, adding that about 30 percent of the contract amount has been paid to the contractors.

On his part, the state commissioner for rural development and special duties, Faruq Mustapha, revealed that the ministry has identified over 4,000 rural roads for construction under the RAAMP-supported project.

He commended Governor Mohammed’s commitment, stating that Bauchi State has been ranked one of the best-implementing states among the 19 states where the RAAMP project is being implemented.

The National Coordinator of the RAAMP Project, Engineer Aminu Bodiga, commended Governor Mohammed for his commitment to rural transformation through prompt payment of counterpart funds.

He emphasised the project’s objective of opening up communities at the grassroots, improving living standards, and enhancing economic opportunities.