Osun Tops World Bank’s Ramp Project Implementation

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Osun State Government has been declared the best performing state in Nigeria by the World Bank Project Implementation.

The state also emerged the best among the participating states in Nigeria in the World Bank Rural Access and Mobility Project 2 (RAMP 2).

The National Coordinator of RAMP, Engr. Ubandoma Ularamu stated this at a 1-day Level Workshop on Development of Policy Framework for Rural Roads Management and Financing held Osogbo, Capital of Osun State.

Ularamu who said that Osun is one of the performing states in RAMP2 and is amongst the early states to conduct workshop to estimate the rural roads manuals which is being used as guide for engineers and other stakeholders in designing, constructing , rehabilitating and maintaining rural roads in Nigeria and particularly the state.

He commended the high sense of diligence and commitment displayed by the state government which according to him, earned it the commendation.

The RAMP National Coordinator said: ” In pursuance to the present administration policies on improving the living standard of the people and transformation of the rural communities.Indeed Osun state government has taken a holistic approach in improving access roads with a view to enhancing the socio-economic activities of the people

He further said: “For the greater number of our population that comes from the rural areas, contribute to National Development as Access to Rural markets will boost agricultural productivity which is like the hen that lays the golden egg at the heart of sustainable development, economic growth and development, economic growth and prosperity

“Osun RAMP has constructed/rehabilitated about 690km of rural roads and 26 numbers of River-crossings and engaged about 649 individuals in community-based road maintainance scheme which is a huge investment that cannot be left to drain-down without putting in place adequate maintenance management structures for sustanable development”.

He added that Osun RAMP has been up and doing in the last seven years to bring succour to the teeming population in rural areas across the state with low volume roads to alleviate the transportation burdens of this segment of society .

Describing Osun RAMP activities as a golden fish which has no hiding place, Ularamu said the transformation of the rural landscape dotted by Osun RAMP is obvious to every stakeholders to see.

Speaking on the significance of the workshop, Ularamu expressed optimism that going by the enumerated achievements and with the unflinching support of the state government, the necessary Executive approvals and legislative backings that required for these deliverables to be realized before the project closure of December 31, 2020 will receive the necessary attention it deserves.

Engr Rasaki Okediya Popoola, the Osun State RAMP coordinator said Osun, having been rated best in the implementation of the RAMP project, has reason to strive further in the actualisation of its comprehensive development agenda.

Popoola said Osun State has been able to maintain its status as the first state that has successfully maintained its roads to enhance productivity and as well as improve the economy of the state through accessible and motorable roads, linking community to community, village to village, town to town as well as city to city.

He said Osun State has always been number one as it remains the pacesetter for its counterparts in terms of rural based road maintenance, which, according to him, has prompted other states to come to Osun State in order to learn rural access roads maintenance skills.

While enumerating some of the achievements of the RAMP 2, Osun state RAMP coordinator revealed that in spite of the fact that the state is blessed with multitude of villages, towns and cities, the state has the best roads connectivity in the country.

The Governor of the state, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola had earlier declared open the one-day workshop with a promise to continue to support the project so as for the continue to maintain its status among other RAMP beneficiary states.

The Governor was represented by Hon Adesegun Olanibi Commissioner for Rural and Urban Development.