The Oyo State Rural Access and Agricultural Market­ing Project (Oyo RAAMP) has successfully signed a contract agreement worth N16,273,711,608.09 for the construction of about 68km rural roads under phase 1 of the intervention project.

Five construction com­panies signed contract agreements with Oyo RAAMP at the event, which took place at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Ibadan, the Supervisory Ministry of Oyo RAAMP, and was overseen by the Ministry’s Commissioner, Olasunkan­mi Olaleye.

Construction companies include Dephhanny’s Ven­ture Limited, Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited, Messrs Coastline Engineering Limited, Messrs Lopek En­gineering and Construction Limited, and Messrs E.A.A Engineering Limited.

This project aims to build rural roads that will connect Oyo state’s five lo­cal government areas.

Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who addressed the contrac­tors and stakeholders at the signing, stated that the project’s goal is to improve rural roads, agricultural marketing, and economic growth in Oyo state.

According to the com­missioner, the project is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of ru­ral communities, farmers, traders, and market hubs by reducing post-harvest losses of agricultural prod­ucts.

While congratulating the firms and contractors who eventually emerged from the highly competitive bid­ding and procurement pro­cesses, the Commissioner explained that the phase 1 intervention roads of back­log maintenance/rehabili­tation and cross drainage structures will include: Fashola Farm settlement road networks, Oyo West, Oloko Oyo Junction- Ikere Junction, Iseyin Local Government; Alako-Idi­ya-Batake-

Local governments in­clude Olowa Farm Settle­ment in Ido, Adebayo-Ala­ta-Aba Oje in Oluyole, Okudi-Oyada Road in ATISBO, and Tewure-Ila Junction Road in Oriire.

He urged the contractors to ensure that they complet­ed quality and satisfactory jobs.

Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, Permanent Secretary, Min­istry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated in her welcome address that the project objectives are in line with the vision of the current government in Oyo state, led by Engr Seyi Makinde, which in­cludes providing farmers with necessary equipment to improve food security.

She added that the sign­ing of the contract agree­ment brings Oyo State one step closer to achieving its goals of promoting econom­ic growth, improving liveli­hoods, and increasing food security.

Mrs. Owoeye then thanked the federal gov­ernment and development partners, including the World Bank and the French Development Agency.

Engr. Adeola Ekundayo, Oyo State Project Coordina­tor for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, urged contractors to cooperate with stake­holders who will be moni­toring their activities.

She also stated that a Grievance Redress Com­mittee for each of the roads has been formed in accor­dance with the project im­plementation manual, and that they will meet prior to the start of civil works.

Mr. Shan Jingwu, a rep­resentative of CGC Con­struction company, spoke on behalf of the contrac­tors and praised RAAMP for being transparent in the selection process that brought his company into existence.

He promised that his team would be very profes­sional in carrying out their duties.