House of Assembly hopeful hails FG, AKSG, others on RAAMP
The PDP candidate for Essien Udim state constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio has applauded the Federal Government, Akwa Ibom State as well as other participating states for keying into the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, describing the scheme as significant for alleviating the plights of rural communities in the country.
Akpabio made the commendation in an interaction with journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital on the heels of the official launching of the project by President Muhamadu Buhari, Tuesday last week at Abuja, as he recalled some preliminary presentations by the Ministry of Agriculture at the inception stage of the project and expressed satisfaction that RAAMP had ultimately become a reality.
He commended the World Bank, French Development Agency and other donor organizations for their humanitarian activities over the years, pointing out that such gestures had contributed immensely in the fight against poverty across the country and other third world countries.
On the benefits of RAAMP to the state, Akpabio noted that the project would open up grassroots access, improve livelihood conditions in our rural communities and contribute to decongesting the state capital.
“If roads are constructed into villages, the issue of rural – urban drift would be reduced. A lot of people would not relocate to the city centres, as it is currently being experienced. They would prefer coming from their respective homes for their regular engagements, following the guarantee of getting back home in record time through good roads.”
Besides, he reasoned that farmers would make more gains from their products, as they would traverse good link roads to the markets to sell their products and earn more cash. In fact, the multiplier effects of keying into the project cannot be overemphasized.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel deserves a pat on the back for promptly enlisting the state in the project. It is a clear and very significant demonstration of his vision, long term planning and focus.”
The candidate maintained that as contained in his manifesto, he would leave no stone unturned towards exploring avenues of partnership with Government, the World Bank and other donor agencies, Non – Governmental Organizations and agro – allied establishments on sundry possibilities to rebrand our agricultural practice, healthcare delivery system, education as well as other indices of development for the benefit of Essien Udim state constituency in particular and the state at large.
