CONTRACTORS ASSUME DUTIES AT AKS-RAAMP MARKET SITES
Construction activities are set to commence at the three agro-logistics centers recently awarded for physical improvement under the Akwa Ibom State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, AKS-RAAMP.
Agro-logistic centers refer to market hubs that have been identified for upgrading and transformation into ultra-modern standards under the project, notably across rural communities to empower and enhance the people’s livelihoods.
The three centers are: Ekponwa market in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area; Atabong beach market in Okobo Local Government Area; and Naira market in Ikono Local Government Area.
The sites were handed over to their respective contractors last week, after a stakeholders engagement / sensitisation led by the State Project Coordinator of AKS-RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan. The exercise was organised for the three Local Government Areas to align the people and the project on a common pedestal as well as elicit support, cooperation and community ownership through the implementation process of the project and even beyond.
Stakeholders in Ikono Local Government Area converged on the Council hall, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo – Monday November 18; while Okobo people were gathered at the palace of Attah Oro / paramount ruler of Okobo; and Nsit Ibom people at their Local Government secretariat, Afaha Offiong – both on Friday November 22, 2024.
The state coordinator explained that Akwa Ibom was the first to have secured approval to award contracts for the construction / physical improvement of agro-logistics centers out the 20 states participating in RAAMP across the country, as he enjoined all the stakeholders to guard the project jealously; stem all forms of conflicts around the intervention areas; and promote robust partnerships with the consultants and contractors for best results. “RAAMP projects operate on global standard practices; we encourage local content policy on employment; we abhor gender based violence and child labour; we promote prompt and quality delivery of jobs so as to guarantee sustainability for all our intervened projects, beyond the lifetime of RAAMP.”
Pastor Akpan thanked the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for his special interest in AKS-RAAMP and pledged that the project would contribute significantly to strengthen the sundry heights already being accomplished across the state by the ARISE agenda for the general good of the people.
In their various remarks, the Chairmen of Ikono Local Government Area, Engr. Otobong Essien; that of Okobo – Engr. George Henshaw; as well as Nsit Ibom – Hon. Otobong Aaron; the Attah Oro / paramount ruler of Okobo – His Eminence Edidem Ita Edet Okokon; the paramount ruler of Ikono, His Royal Majesty Edidem Etim Itaang, among other stakeholders hailed Governor Umo Eno; the World Bank and French Development Agency for their respective contributions towards realising the projects, as they pledged their utmost support and cooperation to ensure seamless progress for the projects.
Highpoints of the events were the brief site handing over formalities to the contractors by AKS-RAAMP in conjunction with the project consultant – Ulti Konsults Limited.
Catch Mate Ventures Limited took charge of Naira market in Ikono Local Government Area; Roshe’s Nigeria Limited was responsible for Atabong beach market in Okobo Local Government Area; while Snaeder Engineering Limited took over Ekponwa market in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
The Chairman of Okobo Local Government was represented by his vice, Mrs. Veronica Clement, while a cross section of other stakeholders drawn from government functionaries; the political class; royal fathers; traders; women and youths attended the events at the respective venues.
