Promoting Rural Development Through AKS-RAAMP, ARISE Agenda Partnership
Both were conceived at different times, under dissimilar circumstances, yet they share many public matters in common, mostly around our rural communities. Both could be described as deliberately calculated initiatives aimed at refining the general conditions and wellbeing of the society, with detailed focus at improving the livelihoods of grassroots people. Both subjects are largely people – centered ideas designed to assuage the plights of mankind.
On the one hand under the foregoing discuss is the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP – a tripartite development project, jointly funded by the World Bank, French Development Agency and the Akwa Ibom State Government; and on the other hand is the “ARISE AGENDA” – a strategic policy development plan enunciated by the Government of Akwa Ibom State, led Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.
The ARISE AGENDA is an acronym where “A” represents Agricultural Revolution; “R” – Rural Development; “I” – Infrastructural Renaissance; “S” – Security; and “E” – Education. It seeks to guide the current administration of the state through delivering on her mandate in a systematic and well – coordinated method. The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP is aimed at improving upon rural roads and markets infrastructure as well as intervening on small span bridges / culverts to boost the livelihood conditions and general wellbeing of grassroots people.
Governor Umo Eno had demonstrated affinity with the grassroots by promptly flagging-off the Owotuta – Nung Oku Ekere – Afaha Udo Eyop – Edeobom – Utuat Market junction demonstration rural road on July 04, 2023 – merely 36 days into his administration, describing AKS-RAAMP as a frontline index of his administration.
Recently in an interview, authorities of China Roads and Bridges Corporation, CRBC – the project contractors had assessed their progress of work on the road at 70.07 percent, with a further optimism to complete the job ahead of scheduled timeline. So far, ramping of lateritic subbase materials; laying of stone base; drains and cover slabs have been completed, while final surfacing with asphalt has commenced. Earlier in May this year, the World Bank and Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU teams, led by the Task Team Leader, Engr. Olatunji Ahmed and the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Mohammed respectively undertook an evaluation tour of the road and described same as “an excellent example for showcasing the Project Development Objectives of RAAMP across the country.” The exercise was part of activities during the pre-mission held at Uyo for all southern states participating in the project.
Mission is an appraisal exercise for all RAAMP states to evaluate the current implementation status of participant members, identify gaps, consolidate on areas of strengths and explore possible solutions to challenging issues.
The 11-kilometer road traverses seven communities: Owotuta, Ikot Okubo, Ikot Ikerre, Itoko, Afaha Ikot Owop, Afaha Udo Eyop and Edeobom 1 – all in Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom Local Government Areas. It is also a major access to Ekponwa market: one of the market hubs prioritized for upgrading into a standard agro-logistics center under the project. In a swift reaction to the development, the Clan Head of Ibesikpo, His Royal Majesty, Etebom Nsidibe Etuk recalled that “the market was indeed a beehive of activities not only for the community but neighbouring local government areas and the Igbos but had degenerated into a ghost of its former self due to the deplorable condition of the road. I am happy it is happening in my time.”
Away from the demonstration road which sought to establish a template for subsequent jobs under the project, 36.766 kilometers of road construction jobs have mobilized to site under the backlog maintenance intervention component of RAAMP. In line with World Bank standards, the successful contractors had emerged through a detailed procurement process to ensure prompt and quality delivery of the jobs. A breakdown of the roads and contractors are:
• Ikot Imo – Ikot Ekpene Udo – Okon Eket road, 12.096 kilometers in Nsit Ubium LGA: Basse Engineering
• Ikot Obio Eket – Ikot Mbong road, 1.142 kilometers in Etinan LGA: Basse Engineering
• Ifuho Mickon – Nyaraenyin Ikot Nkpo bridge road, 4.771 kilometers in Ikot Ekpene LGA: Anchor Nuel Resources
• Ibiaku Ntok Okpo road, 1.136 kilometers in Ikono LGA: Anchor Nuel Resources
• Ikot Ekan – Ediene Abak road, 8.396 kilometers in Etinan LGA: AYF Development Nigeria Limited
• Ibiaku Obio Ndobo – Adadia road, 7.106 kilometers in Uruan LGA: Akpaven Integrated Services
• Okop Nko – Okop Ndua road, 2.119 kilometers in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA: Akpaven Integrated Services.
Similarly, the construction of 110.92 kilometers of road under the spot improvement component is ongoing. Due to the relatively thin scope of works in the spot improvement portfolio vis-à-vis the ecology and peculiar wetland terrain of the state, approval for an upward review and alignment with the state’s environmental characteristics has been granted. It could be recalled that at various fora, the State Project Coordinator of AKS-RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan had made recurrent appeals for Akwa Ibom to be accorded special attention under the project, siting the anomalous rainfall situation and topography of the state for consideration. The latest among such pleas were during the 7th Implementation Support Pre-Mission and Mission held in May, 2024 and June, 2024 at Uyo and Abuja respectively.
Meanwhile, bids for the second phase of backlog maintenance jobs are currently being evaluated for the construction of 34.40-kilometer roads. Request for bids had been advertised on Monday August 19, 2024 and closed on Thursday September 19, 2024. The three-lot jobs are spread across six Local Government Areas in the state thus:
• Nung Ukim – Ukwok – Ibam Edet with a spur from Aba Itiat to Usuk Ukwok, 6.16 kilometers in Ikono LGA
• Ikot Onwon Ediene – Ikot Nkwo – Ikot Idomo Ikot Abia Nkwot, 6.68 kilometers in Ikono LGA
• Ikot Isong – Edeobom II road, 3.31 kilometers in Nsit Ibom LGA
• Ikot Ambon – Nung Ette Shelter Afrique road, 1.23 kilometers in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA
• Obot Idim – Afaha Atai road, 2.65 kilometers in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA
• Adadia market road – Ekim Enen – Esuk Udo Beach road, 3.96 kilometers in Uruan LGA
• Obo Annang – Ikot Akpakpan – Ikot Akpan Ikpong – Uyo / Ikot Ekpene road, 2.75 kilometers in Essien Udim LGA
• Ikpa Ikot Akpan / Ikot Uneke – Ikot Ukana Ikot Ntung – Obot Odung – Ono Ikot Okpon, 1.28 kilometers in Ibiono Ibom LGA.
Similarly, evaluation of bids for the construction of 16.55-kilometer roads in Okobo and Ini Local Government Areas, under the upgrading component has begun. The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mrs. Offiong Offor had presided over the bid closing / opening ceremony recently for subsequent commencement of the screening exercise.
Offiong described the event as an assertion of due process, transparency and general standard practices operationalized by the project, in line with the World Bank regulations. Her words: “RAAMP is a flagship project of the ARISE agenda, under the current administration of Akwa Ibom State, led by His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. All bidders should be rest assured of strict adherence to due process until the eventual emergence of the best team and; whoever would win the job should know and be ready on his/her part to execute same under strict adherence to specifications in the design.” She reiterated the Umo Eno administration’s commitment and determination towards developing the grassroots and improving upon the livelihood conditions of rural communities with a view to reducing rural – urban drift and lessening of pressure on facilities at our urban centers at the long run.
The State Project Coordinator of AKS-RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan described all the bidders as stakeholders in the project, pointing out that “although it would not be possible for all the companies to emerge winners, yet every participant would certainly have something to learn and benefit in the course of the exercise which they could leverage upon when subsequent opportunities arise either within or beyond the project.”
The job is divided into two lots, while the request for bids had been advertised on Monday August 12, 2024. The two roads are:
• Nsie – Uruting road with spur to the cassava mega farm project, 12.67 kilometers in Okobo LGA
• Ananamong – Eboh – Ikot Essien – Nchanebua with spur to Ebo cocoa plantation, 3.42 kilometers in Ini LGA.
Furthermore, 29 bids submitted by 22 companies are currently being evaluated for the physical improvement of three agro-logistics hubs under AKS-RAAMP. Agro-logistics centers refer to market hubs that would be intervened upon and transformed into ultra-modern standards at various locations across the state. Advertised on Monday April 22, 2024, the three hubs are:
• Ekponwa market – Nsit Ibom LGA
• Atabong beach market – Okobo LGA
• Naira market – Ikono LGA.
Aside the tangible construction works, there are other ancillary benefits accruable to Project Affected Persons, PAPs in lieu of compensation for their crops, economic trees and related matters. The emergence, growth and development of direct and indirect jobs, among other paybacks associated with the construction works also catalyze the improvement of livelihood conditions and general uplift of individuals and groups.
As AKS-RAAMP continues to wax stronger, the project still has a lot more to unfold across more rural communities in particular and the state at large. It behoves on all and sundry – men, women and youths as well as groups, organisations and other corporate bodies to embrace, support, own and cooperate with the project for overall best results.
However, rural development under the ARISE agenda transcends her partnership with AKS-RAAMP. Notable among other strides include the Ibom Model Farm project at Nsit Ubium Local Government Area; road construction / rehabilitation projects; electrification and hydraulic infrastructural projects; development schemes in conjunction with other bodies such as the State Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (AK-CARES); Rural Electrification Agency (REA); among others. Government has equally launched a number of empowerment programmes for youths, women, cooperative societies and other organized groups, etc – all aimed at stimulating grassroots development across the state. Again, it behoves on all and sundry – men, women, youths and groups to support and cooperate with government for the sustainability of these feats and overall best results.
