Ihedioha flags off N13.5bn road projects in Imo

The Governor of Imo state, Emeka Ihedioha, has flagged off the construction of N13.5 billion rural road projects.

The World Bank assisted Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) include, 380.7 kilometres of rural road across the 27 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the flag off at Onuimo, Isu and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of the state, Gov. Ihedioha assured the readiness of his administration to partner development agencies for the advancement of the state.

He however, said he has approved the payment of the counterpart fund to activate the project upon assumption of office.

“As soon as we assumed office, the RAMP project attracted our attention and so came under review.

Our task teams and committees analyzed the programme and its processes, and being satisfied with its objectives, immediately ratified it, then provided the necessary approvals and directives therein including updating payments of counterpart funds.

“As a state and indeed, as a person, we are particularly grateful to the two institutions that have made today possible, the World Bank and the AFD (the French Development Bank).

“As a policy of state, we will continue, as a matter of fact to intensify our engagements with the development partners and multi-lateral institutions, in order to leverage on their pedigree,” the governor stated.

Gov. Ihedioha revealed his administration’s intention to revive the Imo Rural Roads Maintenance Agency (IRROMA) to ensure that no part of the state’s rural areas remain inaccessible due to bad roads.

“In order to ensure that beyond the construction of these projects, their continuous use is guaranteed, we will revive the state road maintenance agency. This will ensure that our roads remain in satisfactory conditions even years after construction,” Ihedioha said.”

The governor assured that construction on urban and major link roads will commerce in earnest, adding that “let me use this platform to say that in the next few days, massive constructions will commerce on Imo urban and major link roads. You will agree that we met a road network in a deplorable state of disrepair.

“We have painstakingly gone through the path of due process – from the design to the procurement. We have involved the ministry of works as never before in the process.

We want to deliver durable roads that will stand the test of time. Be assured, development will get to all parts of Imo state; no discrimination or exclusions.”

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Rural Development, Richmond Osuji, said the state government approved the payment of 15 per cent initial mobilization fund for the project.

He disclosed that the state government has mapped out fund to compensate owners of properties that will be affected in the course of the project.

Osuji promised that the Bureau for Rural Development will ensure compliance by the contractors with the technical specification, budget and timeline for the completion of the projects.

In his speech, the National Coordinator of RAMP, Udandoma Ularamu, stated that Imo state is the fifth state in the country that have partnered with the agency.