The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced its intention to roll out the Rural Access Marketing Project (RAAMP) in 36 states across the country, with the goal of enhancing agricultural marketing and improving the income of farmers. The National Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Mr. Aminu Mohammed, announced the expansion of the project during an annual retreat and staff training in Calabar. He noted that the successes of the project in Cross River and Kaduna since its launch in 2008 had paved the way for its expansion to all states.
Mr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of active participation by the states in the implementation of the project, noting that this would lead to more funding for rural road improvement. He also mentioned the intention to make the project multi-phased and to incorporate technology in its implementation.
The Governor of Cross River state, Ben Ayade, urged staff of the project to prioritize national interest over personal ethnic, religious, and political inclinations in carrying out their duties. Represented by the State Commissioner for International Donor Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong, he described RAAMP as a multi-dimensional project with the potential to positively change the lives of rural dwellers. He pledged his support for the project’s vision of improving the lives of rural dwellers across the country.