Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project- Abia SPIU

The Abia State House of Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriation, Budget and Planning, has charged the Abia State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to work more diligently and in unity to ensure quality project delivery across the state.

Speaking during a familiarization visit, the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Budget and Planning- Hon. Stephen Ucheonye made this charge as he emphasized on the need to build quality roads and agro-logistics marketing facilities that will stand the test of time.

Furthermore, he commended the Abia RAAMP Project Coordinator for his dedication since assuming office, particularly in ensuring that the project continues to make steady progress in the state, despite initial challenges, while advising him to work more closely with the Committee to achieve set goals.

Also speaking, Hon.Anthony Chinasa- Member representing Umuahia Central Committee, thanked the Abia RAAMP team for the warm reception accorded their team. He advised the staff to give their Coordinator all the support he needs to drive the project forward.

Responding, the Abia RAAMP Project Coordinator - Engr. Amarachi Kalu expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed his team's commitment to delivering impactful projects and assured the Committee of their resolve to maximise support and ensure the successful implementation of RAAMP initiatives for the benefit of the people of Abia State.

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Amarachi Udochi-Nwachukwu,
Development Communication Officer
Abia RAAMP.

Ongoing is the Gender Based-Violence (GBV) Training for Abia RAAMP staff.

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Continuous awareness raising through the training of workers, contractors and clients is a strategy we keep employing to curb issues of GBV in our project.

At the heart of our work is stakeholder engagement. We consistently and intentionally engage our stakeholders as true owners of the project, recognizing that their insights, needs, and feedback are critical to success.

From Umuahia North to Umuahia South, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Ikwuano, Bende, Ukwa East and West, Ugwunagbor, Isialangwa South, Isialangwa North, Obingwa, Isiukwuato, Osisioma, Aba North and South we have consistently engaged with our stakeholders across communities in these areas.

Through continuous collaboration, consultation, and open communication, we ensure transparency, foster shared responsibility, and guarantee the delivery of high-quality, sustainable outcomes that will surely meet the expectations of our people.

Ongoing is a 5-Day Training on Field Enumeration using SW-Maps for Road Inventory and Data Collection in Abia State.

This training organized by the Abia State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Abia RAAMP) is aimed at empowering the selected enumerators with the necessary skills needed for road inventory and features collection of roads to be rehabilitated by RAAMP in Abia State.

As part of moves to ensure provision of agricultural infrastructure in rural communities across the country, the Abia State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Abia RAAMP) is set to participate in the forthcoming scale-up project through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), nationwide.

The National Coordinator of RAAMP - Engr. Aminu Mohammed Bodinga made this known during the 9th RAAMP Implementation Support Mission held in Lagos, Nigeria. He explained that the scale-up is as a result of the successes recorded by the 19 RAAMP participating States.

Further speaking, Engr. Aminu Mohammed disclosed that 273.33km of road contracts have been completed across the RAAMP participating states, while stating that a total of 801.96km of rural roads would have been completed under the RAAMP intiative by April, 2026.

Also speaking, the World Bank Task Team Lead- Mr Rakeesh Tripathi emphasized the importance of the Road Sector Reforms component of the Project, pointing out that the operationalization of this component is a condition for qualifying for scale-
up as he maintained that RAAMP Participating
States, Including Abia, have passed the Road Sector Reforms bill into law by the
Executive Governor in their respective States. He then encouraged all states
to fully operationalize the Reforms in their states
with the appointment of Director Generals,
Appointment of Board Members, Office accommodations and budgetary allocations.

In his presentation, the Abia RAAMP Project Coordinator- Engr. Amarachi Monday Kalu
highlighted the successes recorded
by the project in Abia state, some of
which include the ongoing construction of
the Itungwa-Mgboko- Amari- Amaise- Ahiaba Ubi- Nkwoelechi- Omoba 19.1km road in Obingwa and Isialangwa South LGA respectively as well as the ongoing rehabilitation/construction of three (3)
agro-logistic centers in Ndi-Oro in Ikwuano, Orie-Obinto in Arochukwu and Eke-Uzuakoli market in Bende Local Government Areas of Abia State.

Amarachi Udochi-Nwachukwu.
Development Communication Officer,
Abia RAAMP.

Abia RAAMP Sensitizes Communities and Markets Ahead of Agro-logistics Center Intervention.

Community Stakeholders and Project beneficiaries have been assured that all funds for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing project would be well utilized, with roads and markets built to high-quality standards that would stand the test of time.

The Honourable Commissioner of Abia State Ministry of Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation- Mrs Ngozi Felix gave this assurance during the sensitization exercise by the Abia State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Abia RAAMP) at the three(3) markets mapped out for immediate intervention, being Orie Obinto in Arochukwu, Eke Uzuakoli in Bende, and Ndi Oru market in Ikwuano Local Government Areas respectively.

Also speaking , she emphasized that the market hubs will be clean, well-equipped and beneficial not only to the host communities but to people across the state.

During his speech, the Officer-in-Charge of Abia RAAMP- Elder Idika Haniel Oji explained that the transformation of the markets into hubs is aimed at providing farmers with a reliable platform to sell their farm products, noting that access roads will also be developed to ease the movement of goods, thereby improving rural livelihoods and boosting the local economy.

Reacting, the Traditional Rulers of the Communities all emphasized the importance of adhering to specifications and ensuring quality in line with international best practices, stressing that the facilities must meet the needs of present and future users of the markets.

In attendance during the sensitization visits were the Local Government Chairmen of the benefiting areas of Bende, Ikwuano and Arochukwu Local Government Areas respectively, alongside Traditional Rulers of the market host communities who lent their support and commitment to ensure successful implementation of the Agro-logistics intervention by Abia RAAMP.

Amarachi Udochi-Nwachukwu
Development Communication Officer,
Abia RAAMP.

Work in progress...

The Itungwa-Mgboko-Amaise-Amairi-Ahiaba Ubi-Nkwowelechi-Omoba road is currently under construction!

The Abia State Government, purposefully led by His Excellency- Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (our result-driven Governor) is achieving this massive developmental stride through Abia RAAMP!!

Our project is designed to reduce poverty, especially in our rural communities by improving Agricultural productivity and ensuring food security through the creation of access roads and transformation of local markets into thriving agricultural marketing hubs.

AbiaRAAMP is paving the path and building a brighter rural future for all Abians.

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Amarachi Udochi-Nwachukwu
Development Communication Officer,
Abia RAAMP.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗸𝗲 𝗨𝘇𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗼𝗹𝗶 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲, 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗢𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸𝘄𝘂, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗱𝗶 𝗢𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗸𝘄𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀!

Here's wishing our amiable Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR a happy birthday! Age graciously sir.

From all of us@ Abia RAAMP.

𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐀𝐀𝐌𝐏 𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓𝟗 𝐤𝐦 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞!

Contractors engaged for the construction of
59 km Backlog Maintenance and Rehabilitation roads by the Abia State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Abia RAAMP), have been admonished to adhere strictly to quality standards and deliver within the agreed timeline.

The Honourable commissioner, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection- Mrs Ngozi Felix, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry- Mrs Ekeoma Akidi made this admonition during the occasion of a joint technical meeting organized by Abia RAAMP for the contractors in readiness for the construction of 59 km Backlog maintenance and rehabilitation. She also encouraged the Abia RAAMP team to provide continuous technical support and guidance to the contractors to ensure the delivery of durable, high-quality roads that will stand the test of time.

In his speech, the Acting Project Coordinator of Abia RAAMP - Engr. Donatus Chibuihe Chinyere explained that the essence of the meeting was to prepare the contractors before the commencement of works to guarantee they meet all requirements. He also assured that his team will always be available to provide the necessary support to ensure the successful delivery of the project to the satisfaction of the Government and people of Abia State.

During his presentation, the Infrastructural Engineer of Abia RAAMP- Engr. Justin Chisom Nwogu revealed that a contractor's readiness is assessed based on their ability to mobilize adequate equipment and personnel, provide a suitable contractor's office and ensure the provision of reliable power supply, water supply and proper sanitation, among other key requirements.

Also speaking, Surv.Johnson- representing the Ok & Joel Engineering Limited, assured that the road awarded to his firm will eradicate the difficulties faced by rural dwellers in moving farm products from the farms to the markets, where they are sold.

Other construction firms in attendance were: African Plus Limited, Teleview Nigeria Limited, I.A.C Allied Technical and Construction Company Limited and Brass Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited.

Roads to be rehabilitated and maintained under the 59km Backlog include: Amiyi Obinohia-Umuerem Nunya in Isiukwuato LGA; Amiyi-Nvosi junction-Ohuhu Ekwuru and Umuokoro-Umuapu-Amaede-IsiEngine road in Isialangwa North and South LGA; Abaliegwu-Amaokpu-Umuaja and Egbelu owo- Egbede-Umuagbai in Ugwunagbo and Osisioma LGAs as well as the construction of Ohanku market rd-Ukebe-Ohuhu-Ndoki and Umuakoli-Umuosu road in Ukwa East LGA.

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Amarachi Udochi-Nwachukwu.
Development Communication Officer,
Abia RAAMP.

Hope Alive!

Hope has come alive again for the people of Itungwa, Omoba, Ahiaba Ubi, Mgboko Amairi and Amaise communities in Isialangwa South and Obingwa Local Government Areas of of Abia State with the commencement of civil works for the construction of the Abia RAAMP pilot 19.1km road cutting across these communities.

The Itungwa-Mgboko-Amaise-Amairi-Ahiaba Ubi-Nkwowelechi-Omoba road is unpaved and surrounded by farmlands and is often impassable during heavy rains, making it difficult for farmers to transport their products to the market, especially the neighbouring Nkwoelechi market, which the road links directly to. The roads connect to Nkwoelechi market which is one of our prioritized agro-logistics centers.

Hope has been rekindled in the hearts of farmers, traders and all road users in this area as Abia RAAMP begins civil works for the construction of this road. Rehabilitating this road would greatly boost Agricultural activities, reducing spoilage and creating faster access to Agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds and pesticides.

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Amarachi Udochi-Nwachukwu
Development Communication Officer,
Abia RAAMP.