World Bank To Construct Rural Roads

The World Bank said on Tuesday, that it would construct 458km of rural roads in Kaduna State to boost transportation.

The Task Team Leader of the World Bank’s Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), Mr Justin Runji, told newsmen  that contracts for the roads would soon be awarded.

Runji, an engineer, said the RAMP would ease transportation of farm products from rural areas to markets in the state.

He said the bank had awarded a N1.4 billion contract for the construction of 132 bridges in the 23 local government areas of the state.

The team leader said the project had reached 50 per cent completion stage, noting that the bridges would link many  communities to urban and suburban centres and enhance the evacuation of produce to the various markets.

He further said that the project would help to eradicate poverty, enhance food security and build a foundation for sustainable economic development.

Runji said the project would bring rapid development to rural areas as the bulk of the state’s wealth was derived from agriculture and other natural resources.

He added that the provision of roads would enhance the social and economic lives of rural dwellers and  promote sustainable rural development.