The World Bank team and the Federal Project Management Unit of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) have commended the Ogun State Government for its robust support to the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), aligning with the Federal Government’s mission on poverty reduction and wealth creation among rural communities.
Engr. Olatunji Ahmed, Task Team Lead of the World Bank Transport Sector, praised the state’s Agrologistics component during a recent visit. “What I have seen the Ogun PIU achieve in Agro-logistics is not only impressive but commendable. They have demonstrated effective backward and forward linkages, displayed value chains, and clearly identified markets for intervention,” Ahmed noted.
The commendation came during the 7th Implementation Support Pre-mission meeting held in Abeokuta from May 27 to 30, attended by representatives from South West States, including Kwara, but excluding Lagos.
Engr. Ahmed also urged Messrs. Springview Global Concept Ltd, the contractor handling the 13.1 km Alapako-Oni/Mosa Junction demonstration road, to expedite work to meet the February 2025 deadline. He highlighted that similar projects in Katsina and Akwa Ibom were either completed ahead of schedule or nearing completion. Ahmed assured the contractor of timely payments and urged the consultant, Messrs AEC, to leverage their expertise to support both the client (SPIU) and the contractor.
Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, Commissioner for Rural Development, reiterated the state government’s commitment to infrastructural development, emphasizing Governor Dapo Abiodun’s support for the RAAMP project. “The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Omooba Dapo Abiodun, places a premium on infrastructural development, whether rural or urban, and has provided substantial support to the RAAMP project in the state,” Ilori-Oduntan stated, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Engr. Sakirudeen Salam.
Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, National Coordinator of RAAMP, assured the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of the project’s dedication to realizing the “Renewed Hope” Agenda.