Rural development has been identified as the cornerstone to national transformation.
This was the view expressed by the Project Coordinator, Niger State rurRu Access and Mobility Project(RAMP2), Surveyor Hassan Baba-Etsu when he granted audience to the Kogi state team of the Rural access and agricultural Marketing Project(RAAMP) who were on a peer review meeting aimed at understudying the success stories of the project in Niger State.
Surveyor Hassan remarked that Niger RAMP2 is rated to be doing excellently in keeping with the mandates for which the project was set up adding that the encomiums from the development partners of the World Bank and the French Development agency, the state Government and other relevant key stakeholders of the project in the state was as a result of the collective resolve to be up and doing in the discharge of their responsibilities urging Kogi RAAMP to always close ranks and exhibit team spirit in order to overcome the challenges ahead.
The Niger RAMP2 Coordinator noted that in the last Seven years of the Project existence in the state, it has provided new lease of life to the rural communities as well as boost their economic fortunes amongst other notable impacts promising of giving necessary support and cooperation to Kogi RAAMP at all times.
In a remark, the Kogi state Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Daniel Ejigbo said the Peer Review Meeting was at the instance of the State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello following remarkable reports of the project success in Niger state and commended them for the giant strides recorded.
Mr. Daniel said Governor Yahaya Bello is Passionate about grassroots development and would continue to place premium on the success of RAAMP in Kogi State and assured of putting into use the knowledge and experience gained at the meeting.
Also speaking, the Project Coordinator, Kogi RAAMP, Engineer Sheidu Obansa said the peer review meeting to Niger state would not have come at a better time than now that the project effectiveness in the state is around the corner emphasizing on the need to put in place all necessary machinery towards recording successes and assured that the Kogi RAAMP will emulate the good works of Niger RAMP2 in order to be the cynosure for all.
Engineer Obansa lauded Governor Yahaya Bello and other stakeholders for the tremendous support so far and called for its sustainance.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent secretary of the Kogi state Ministry of Rural Development who is also the Kogi RAAMP State Project Management Committee (SPMC) chairperson Hajia Maryam Liman appreciated the Niger RAMP2 for the warm reception and prayed for more collaboration.
Highlight of the 3day peer review meeting was a courtesy call on the Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Haliru Jikantoro, various presentation on the Successes, Challenges and Prospects of the project and visits to some project sites .
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