Kogi Okays N450m for Rural Roads, Agric

By Ahmed Rahma

Kogi state government has approved N450 million counterpart funds for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

The Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr Daniel Oniel, made this disclosure at a press briefing shortly after the executive council meeting in Lokoja

Mr Oniel noted that the project would see feeder roads, 503 KM asphalt roads and other projects to connect rural dwellers to the cities and beep upkeep state economy through agriculture.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that the council had approved the construction of two Special General Hospitals in Gegu local government area and Ajaokuta local government area of the state.

However, he noted that the health project was to ensure that one of the key thematic areas of the New Direction Agenda was met, adding that the government has directed that alternative routes be made available through the construction of a flyover bridge at the popular Ganja junction in the state capital.

He said: “In that regard, the council has directed the state ministry of works to ensure alternative roads are made available to ameliorate the hardship that could be occasioned by the ongoing project.

“The directive is to ensure the state capital does not experience gridlock as a result.

“Also, the rehabilitation of the roads in Lokoja is to make the state capital beautiful because it is the nodal city of the country, hence the need to create a good impression about Kogi as motorists ply the roads from all parts of Nigeria.”