World Bank, Kwara to spend $60m on rural roads

World Bank, in collaboration with the Kwara State Government will spend $60 million for the upgrade of rural roads and markets across the 16 local governments, under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made this known on Wednesday at the launch of Alapa-Arobadi road in Asa Local Government.

According to him, the 5.2 kilometres road would be upgraded to surface dressed pavement.

AbdulRazaq added that his administration had paid N400 million as its counterpart funds for RAAMP to “make these huge interventions.”

Represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, the governor said:  “Under this project, the administration will upgrade 125 kilometres of road to asphalt materials, carry out spot improvement on 450 kilometres of road and routine maintenance on 700 kilometres of road.

“The government will also carry out backlog of maintenance of 200 kilometres of road, five river crossings will be fixed, while existing markets will be upgraded to hubs.

“We cannot claim to promote food security or seek investments from outside when the roads that lead to farmlands and other agricultural settlements are in bad shape.”