Ekiti govt expends N2.8bn on upgrading of RAAMP projects

The Project Coordinator of the Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Sunday Adunmo, has refuted claims that RAAMP projects in the state are solely funded by the donor partner, the World Bank.

Speaking on a weekly Yoruba simulcast media programme titled S’etigbo, the project coordinator stated that, contrary to rumours making the rounds that the state government does not make any financial contribution to the implementation of the project, the Governor Biodun Oyebanji–led administration regularly provides counterpart funds in line with the financing agreement signed by the Bank and the participating states.

Adunmo stated that, in addition, Governor Oyebanji has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the project by paying an additional ₦2.8 billion to upgrade the asphalt thickness of eight of the 18 ongoing roads from 30mm — the original RAAMP specification — to 40mm, as a way of ensuring durability.

This, he said, is aside from the counterpart funds, which the government has never failed to provide.

The project coordinator listed the eight roads benefiting from the additional 10mm asphalt overlay to include Ikole–Isaba–Ikoyi–Igbemo Road; Enu Odi–Ita Eku–Igirigiri Road; Ijero–Epe–Araromi–Iropora Road; Ido–Ipere–Iludun Road; and Agbado–Ipole–Ise Road.

Others are Are–Oye Road, Ikogosi–Aba Osun–Ilawe Road, and Omisanjana–Ben Folarin–Oke Aso Road.

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Adunmo said:

“Truth be told, it is a World Bank–assisted project which is co-funded by both the Bank and the state government. The percentage provided by the Bank is a loan, while the remaining matching funds are contributed by the state, and that is what the Federal Government signed on behalf of the participating states.

“It is a loan that the state government will pay back, meaning that the state government is financing and sponsoring RAAMP in all the participating states. So, there is no iota of truth in the claim that the World Bank is solely financing RAAMP. We are indeed being assisted now, but we are going to repay the loan. The state is taking ownership because it is a loan that will be repaid.”

Adunmo described the rumour as not only baseless but also a political gimmick aimed at discrediting Governor Oyebanji ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

“Whenever we go out for project inspections, we see how members of the benefiting communities troop out to meet us as if we are there to commission the project. This underscores the acceptability of the governor among the project communities.

“He has touched all parts of Ekiti State with his projects. The projects have made positive impacts on the lives of the people, and they believe that the only way to compensate the governor is by re-electing him to continue the good work he has started.

“Ekiti people will never be hoodwinked into believing that the governor is not doing anything. The projects in various communities are evidence that Oyebanji is performing well and should be allowed to continue,” Adunmo said.