Adeleke Restates Commitment To Maintainace Of Rural, Urban Roads

— As RAAMP Holds 1-day Workshop On Road sector reforms

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has reiterated the commitment of his administration to give priority to development, management and maintenance of rural and urban roads so as to make life better for the people of the state.

Adeleke said since he assumed office about six months ago, his administration has demonstrated commitment to road construction and maintenance throughout the nooks and crannies of the State.

To continue to achieve this, the Governor said his administration will work very hard to ensure Osun Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) Is established in line with international best practices.

Adeleke who declared unflinching support for the project said his administration is determined to improve on rural access and agricultural marketing, whilst strengthening the financing and institutional base for effective development, maintenance and management of the rural road network.

Gov Adeleke who was represented by the Solicitor General, Mrs Morufa Adekemi Bello made the pledge while declaring open , a stakeholders’ workshop on Road Sector Reform held at Ulli Beier Hall, Centre for Black Culture and Understanding, Osogbo.

Adeleke stressed that his administration would focus on infrastructure development in the state and all necessary requisites would be put in place to achieve it.

He said: “The development, management and maintenance of rural and urban roads is one of the topmost priorities of this administration; we have demonstrated our commitment to road construction and maintenance throughout the nooks and crannies of the State.

“Today, and unlike what obtains before we came to power, we carry the people along in planning and governance.
The Project Development Objective is to improve rural access and agricultural marketing in participating states, whilst strengthening the financing and institutional base for effective development, maintenance and management of the rural road network.

“Going by the Project Development Objective the importance of the Road Sector Reform cannot be over-emphasized to the successful implementation of the Project.

“Not only this, I am aware of the implication of failure to establish the Agency within the stipulated time frame would be to the State. As a government of the people by the people and for the people, I am assuring you that this administration would not allow the opportunity to elude our State.

“The development, management and maintenance of rural and urban roads is one of the topmost priorities of this administration; we have demonstrated our commitment to road construction and maintenance throughout the nooks and crannies of the State.

“Let me say, without mincing words, that this feat would continue progressively until the State become first in the area of road network management throughout the Federation.

“Going by the trends on Road Sector Reform across the globe, this is one of the surest ways of sustaining the development, management and maintenance of rural and urban roads and I believe that our state would not be an exception.

“As a government, we would strive hard to ensure that the Agency is established in line with international best practices.

“This we cannot do without opening-up the rural areas through the provision of access-roads and the maintenance for its sustainability. This will make it easier for our farmers to transport their (mostly perishable) farm produce. The economic importance and benefits derivable from this initiative are enormous and cannot be over-emphasised.

“This administration has been providing enabling environment for the project, the welfare of the staff is prioritized and committed to the prompt payment of Counterpart fund. It is our mandate to ensure good governance and allow our people to enjoy dividend of democracy.

The Coordinator, Osun Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) , Engr P R Okediya said the objectives of the workshop is to introduce the Bills on Rural Access and Roads Agency (RARA) and to sensitise the stakeholders on the importance of the Rural Access and Roads Agency and the State Roads Fund (SRF)

Engr Okediya who commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his efforts since he assumed office about six months ago said the workshop is to guide in the planning and development of Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA) and State Roads Fund( SRF).