In Imo State, the effort of the government to partner the federal government and France on Rural Access and Mobility Project under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has finally paid off.
The state government finally signed the agreement at the Federal Ministry of Finance signalling the beginning of development projects in the local government areas in the state.
The event took place at the Federal Ministry of Finance and had the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, French business community led by its Ambassador, Mr. Denys Gauer with the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere in attendance.
Govenor Rochas Okorocha led administration in 2014, in her bid to develop infrastructural facilities in the rural communities for economic development, revamp agriculture, agribusiness and cottage industries, sought to achieve this goal by seeking to participate in RAMP to complement government’s effort in improving the quality of life of her citizens.
Madumere was assigned the role by Okorocha to monitor the project, and he led delegation to the world Bank (April 7, 2016). In the course of his meeting with the country Director of the Bank, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud and other World Bank Personnel, Madumere made persuading presentations where he queried the reason Imo State would not be allowed to participate in the project, having met all requirements.
His words; “It will be painful and our people will surely get downcast should they hear that we may not participate in RAMP having raised their hope to the high heavens. We were able to scale through at the National Assembly but could not participate in the last phase following the non passage of Fiscal Responsibility Law and non institutionalisation of Public Procurement Bureau, which you rightly pointed out.
“Due to the importance my Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his Rescue Mission administration attach to this Project owing to its projected positive impacts to the rural dwellers, and the State Government’s effort at revamping agriculture and building industrial base at the rural areas, we expedited action, which led to the passage of “Imo State Fiscal Responsibility Law 2016” by the State House of Assembly…
“We have properly set up Public Procurement Bureau followed by the Director General and engagement appropriate personnel for effectiveness as required by Imo State Public Procurement Price Intelligence and Related Matters of Law No. 12 of 2010, which have all been submitted to the World Bank,” he submitted.
Madumere commended President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government, which has continued to show great interest in the development of rural areas which he said are made manifest in its policies, the Honourable Minister of Finance, whom she described as passionate in delivering on such projects as RAMP due its value chain in the activating developments at the rural areas, knowing its implication at the overall health of the Nigerian economy, and Okorocha for his foresight.
“Over 300 kilometers of rural roads will be constructed with 15 River crossings as well as creating an institutional framework for the maintenance, which will involve the user communities. You can understand that the value chain will be huge,” he enthused.
He also showered encomium on French Development Agency led by its Country Director, Mr. Olivier Delefosse for partnering with Nigeria and Imo State in particular, assuring that Imo State shall make the best of the opportunity RAMP brings with the massive road construction and other facilities.
He assured the project will improve on the standard of living of its citizenry with the revamping of agriculture and establishment of cottage industries at strategic points pending the area of comparative advantage of each community.
Project Coordinator, RAMP, Imo State, Engr. John Uzor, in an emotion laden statement said: “Personally, I also happy for coming to the end of this journey that started four years ago. I must give it to the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere whom our Governor gave the charge to lead out. His sense of responsibility is unequal. He is full of energy with unbridled optimism even when some of the team members are downcast. He is indeed a great leader. I have been inundated with calls coming from local government areas congratulating the Governor, his Deputy and the entire team for their effort. RAMP will change the fortune of our rural dwellers for good. When you have access road in the communities, farmers find it much easier to do business thereby encouraging them to expand the scope of their vocation. It will also improve on the health of our people as moving patients to hospitals become easier especially pregnant women and the aged. It surely reduce mortality ratio in the rural areas. With good access road, it is easier for an investor to invest in the rural communities with work force, which abound. It is win-win situation.”
Meanwhile, it has been jubilation from the people of Imo State on the successful signing of RAMP agreement.
Franklin Opara from Mbieri in Mbaitoli, he showered encomium on Governor Okorocha and Deputy, Madumere for their vision to develop the State.
He described the final signing of RAMP as good omen since it will engender developments at the rural communities thereby improving on the standard of living for the rural dwellers since their roads will be accessible and transportation of their produce will be made easier.
In the same vein, Miss Ezinne Jerry from Oru East expressed excitement over the Project, hoping that her community, which she described as majorly agrarian will benefit.
Jeff Imo, former local government Chairman of Onuimo local government area of Imo State who responded on social media hailed the development, extolling Madumere’s doggedness and focus for not giving in for almost four years he started the campaign for Imo participation. He said RAMP will complement the effort of government in developing rural communities.
