Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, had stated that his administration is ready to fix nothing less than 200 Kilometers of rural roads through the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing Project (RAAMP)
The governor stated this on Monday while receiving the delegates of the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
Makinde reiterated his government’s commitment in improving the agricultural production of the state in order to take its place as the agricultural hub in the country and also serve as a means of employment for the teeming youth population.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde; Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor informed the team, which will equally embark on a trip to the state’s agro-processing project, that through RAAMP, the administration would fix no fewer than 200 kilometres rural roads in 2021.
He said: “We are excited about this programme, because the four pillars, which this administration is standing upon are education, health, expansion of our economy and security. And in expanding our economy, we are looking towards where we have a comparative advantage and that is agriculture.
“We are keen to take our space in terms of agricultural outputs. So, this could not have come at a better time for us and, as an administration, because we want to take many of our unemployed youths off the streets, we know agriculture and agribusiness is the way to go.”
Governor Makinde commended the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) for the commitment to fixing over 200 kilometres of rural roads in the state.
He added that the special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project will also have the support of the government of the state at the topmost level.
“Let me use this opportunity to also thank a partner, IFAD. They are involved in the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project. Though we are about to kick off on that one, but this year we are fixing over 200 kilometres of rural roads.
“When Dr. Debo Akande told me of this visit, I had to cancel all other schedules to meet with you to show the importance we attach to the SAPZ programme. “So, you can expect support and attention from the topmost level of the government of Oyo State,”
