RAAMP to open access to rural farmlands in Abia State.

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has commended Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) for selecting Abia State as one of the 18 States nationwide that will benefit from the World Bank support.

The Governor who spoke through his Special Adviser on policy implementation, Hon.Chima Chukwu, at a one day Stakeholders' Workshop on Resettlement Policy Framework held at the Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, noted that it was a great advantage for Abians to have RAAMP in Abia.

According to Mr.Chukwu who also is the Chairman, Tech. Sub-committee, International Donor Agency (IDA), stated that it is important for us to understand what RAAMP is doing in the State. According to him, apart from opening several roads in rural communities, Farmers are assisted to build small cottage industries, process and market foods thereby making sure foods are not wasted in the Country.

"It is also important to understand that whoever is affected adversely will be compensated by the policies put in place by the World Bank."

Earlier, the Project coordinator, State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) Dr.John Babington Chibunna thanked the Governor of Abia State for his commitment to make Abia State part of the laudable project.

In his words; "this project has expounded his administration's policy of uplifting the economic life of rural Abians through the provision of suitable road network and mainstreaming of Agricultural Marketing and Agro hubs in rural areas".

He stated that the new and improved RAAMP will foster value chain addition to our agricultural produce from production, processing and storage which is in line with the "Zero reject" of Agricultural policy of the federal Government thus reducing wastages arising from transport of farm produce and mitigate the effect of lack of storage facilities in the State.

He stated that Abia State has been selected among the 18 States that will benefit from the RAAMP world bank support to the tune of five hundred million dollars ($500m).

Abia, Akwaibom ,Anambra States had their State project coordinators at the event. Permanent Secretaries, political leaders, Traditional leaders ,Farmers and other stakeholders in the State also graced the occasion.