The Bayelsa State Government has pledged to meet its counterpart funding obligations for the implementation of critical development projects under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme and other development partnerships.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, gave the assurance on Wednesday when a delegation from RAAMP visited him at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Akpe said the Governor Douye Diri administration remained committed to improving infrastructure across the state, particularly through the construction of roads and bridges to enhance connectivity despite Bayelsa’s difficult terrain.
He explained that the government had embraced partnerships with development organisations to deliver major projects, noting that the approach had produced positive results.
The deputy governor recognised 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 areas with the state capital and stimulate economic activities.
Akpe also urged RAAMP and other partners involved in counterpart-funded programmes to factor Bayelsa’s challenging terrain into their budgets and project designs.
He said, “One of the approaches the Prosperity Government has adopted in its scheme of things 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.
“So, it is not news to us that we are among the states that have met the criteria set for this particular programme. You have listed a lot of conditions we have fulfilled and just very few areas that we are yet to meet.
“But I want to assure you that we will also take care of those areas, including the counterpart funding you mentioned. So, you should not be afraid of that at all. I also want to assure you that our officials are very well experienced and of high integrity.”
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Speaking about infrastructure development in the state, Akpe said, “As a government, we take the construction of roads very seriously. That is one of the areas we give priority attention to. We are building roads and bridges across big rivers, rivulets and swamps.
“And you know that our terrain is a very interesting one. But we are determined to conquer it. So, you have to take that into consideration because most of the time, when you run your budget, or make your project plans and expenditure, you don’t take cognisance of the terrain.
“Nevertheless, we are building major roads across the creeks to link local government headquarters, and that is opening up our state for agriculture and business.
“Your RAAMP Project is to take the roads to our farms. I believe that will boost or complement what we are already doing. And that is why we are jumping at it.”
Earlier, the RAAMP Team Lead and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Chinedu Olisah, disclosed that $600m in donor funding was available for states that satisfied the programme’s participation requirements.
Olisah said the World Bank was providing $500m of the funding, while the Federal Government would contribute $100m.
He commended the Bayelsa Government for fulfilling some of the conditions required for participation, including establishing the boards of the Bayelsa State Rural Access Roads Authority and the Bayelsa State Road Fund.
However, he called on the state government to provide a take-off grant for the Bayelsa RARA office to enable it to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
Olisah also proposed merging the Bayelsa RARA office with the State Road Fund office and emphasised the need for the government to fulfil its counterpart funding commitments.