Food security is possible through RAAMP- says National Coordinator

Food security is possible through RAAMP- says National Coordinator

Food

By Doris Esa

Abuja, June 27,2024 (NAN) Mr Aminu Mohammed, the National Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project ( RAAMP), says RAAMP is an effective means of realising food sufficiency and security across the country.

Mohammed made this known during the 7th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission of RAAMP, on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that most urban centres derived their supply of food from farms, which were located at the rural communities.

Mohammed said that the main objective of RAAMP was to improve rural roads and trade to bolster food production.

“The primary objective of RAAMP is to improve rural roads and trading infrastructure to boost food production.

“Therefore, the successful implementation of this project can go a long way towards guaranteeing food sufficiency and security across the country,” he said.

The coordinator called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure an all-round success of the project.

He said that the mission was to evaluate the current implementation status, milestones as well as challenges faced by the 19 states participating in the project.

Mohammed announced that arrangements had reached an advanced stage for the commencement of civil works on agro-logistics centres (ALCs) latest by September with 23 major contracts that would be awarded across the states.

ALCs referred to market hubs that have been prioritised for transformation to ultra-modern standards at various locations across the country, notably in rural communities to empower and enhance the livelihoods of the people.

Also, the Task Team Leader of the World Bank, Mr Rakeesh Tripathi hinted that a scale-up was being mooted for the project.

He emphasised that only states which have established and operationalised the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF), with the required standing on counterpart funds would be eligible to access the scale-up funds.

He advised all states to take advantage of the mission and get the needed support to tackle every challenge facing their State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU).

Tripathi said that all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be encouraged to embrace the scale-up project.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ORD/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru