Bayelsa Assures RAAMP Of Counterpart Funding For Rural Road Projects

The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing counterpart funding for critical infrastructure projects under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP) and other development partnerships.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, gave the assurance on Wednesday when a delegation from RAAMP paid a courtesy visit to him at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Akpe said the Governor Douye Diri-led administration remained committed to infrastructure development, particularly the construction of roads and bridges to improve connectivity across the state, despite its challenging terrain.

He explained that the government had adopted strategic partnerships with organisations and institutions to facilitate the execution of key development projects, noting that the approach had produced positive results.

The deputy governor acknowledged RAAMP’s contribution to improving access to rural communities through road construction and supporting agricultural activities. He said the programme would complement the state government’s efforts to link rural communities with the state capital and enhance socioeconomic development.

Akpe urged RAAMP and other development partners implementing counterpart-funded projects to consider Bayelsa’s difficult terrain when preparing project budgets and implementation plans.

He assured the delegation that the state government would fulfil the outstanding conditions required for participation in the programme, including its counterpart funding obligations.

“One of the approaches the Prosperity Government has adopted is partnership. We are partnering with well-meaning organisations, institutions and individuals, and it has been yielding dividends because we understand the importance of partnership in executing laudable projects and programmes such as yours,” he said.

Akpe added that the government attached significant importance to road construction and was undertaking projects across rivers, creeks and swampy areas to improve transportation and economic activities.

“As a government, we take the construction of roads very seriously. That is one of the areas we give priority attention. We are building roads and bridges across big rivers, rivulets and swamps,” he stated.