The World Bank has announced a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in Benue State through the construction of 534 kilometers of rural roads.
This project, part of the Rural Access and Mobility Project, is designed to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce by connecting farms to markets across all local governments in the state.
State Project Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Numbeve, revealed that comprehensive surveys, geophysical studies, and final designs for the roads have been completed. "We prioritised the development of engineering road designs for the 534 kilometres of roads we intend to construct," he stated. "With all these in place, we are ready to move forward once the funds are available."
The project also includes the construction of warehouses for storing both fresh and dry agricultural produce, which is expected to significantly boost market access and productivity.
However, the commencement of the project has faced delays due to the previous administration's failure to pay the necessary counterpart fund. "The slight delay in the commencement of the roads was caused by nonpayment of the counterpart fund by the previous administration," Numbeve explained.
Funding for the project will be sourced from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, contingent upon meeting certain prerequisites. Despite the challenges, Numbeve expressed optimism about the project's potential impact on the region's agricultural sector.
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