By Our Correspondent
The Kogi State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) Steering Committee has called on contractors handling various project sites across the state to improve performance and ensure timely delivery of ongoing rural infrastructure projects.
The committee made the call after concluding an inspection of RAAMP intervention sites across Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West senatorial districts to assess the level of work, compliance with engineering specifications and environmental safeguards, as well as identify implementation challenges.
The inspection covered rural access roads, agro-logistics and market infrastructure, and cross-drainage projects being executed under the programme.
During the tour, committee members interacted with contractors and project supervisors to obtain firsthand information on the pace of work and determine whether projects were on track for completion within the approved timelines.
The committee noted that although extensions had earlier been granted on some contracts due to genuine implementation challenges, such concessions should result in faster project delivery and improved performance.
According to the committee, the inspection revealed varying levels of progress across the project sites. While some contractors were commended for maintaining quality standards and making appreciable progress, others were directed to intensify efforts to meet contractual obligations.
The committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work recorded at some sites, warning that contractors must adhere strictly to agreed standards and timelines.
Members said the inspection was not intended to apportion blame but to provide an opportunity for constructive engagement with contractors to address operational and technical challenges affecting project implementation.
They reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to expanding rural road connectivity, improving agricultural markets and delivering critical infrastructure to rural communities across the state.
The committee stressed that contractors engaged under the project must justify the confidence reposed in them by complying with contractual specifications, maintaining quality standards and ensuring timely completion of assigned projects.
The inspection team included the Technical Assistant to the Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Alhaji Hussein Isah; Director-General of the Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA), Engr. Muhammed Ohiekwu; Director-General of the State Road Fund (SRF), Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Yerima; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural and Energy Development and Chairman of the State Project Monitoring Committee (SPMC), Mr. Paul Aiyekomogbon; Director of Rural Services in the ministry, Engr. Adavireku; and the Kogi RAAMP State Project Coordinator, Engr. Sheidu Obansa Adamu, who led members of the State Project Implementation Unit during the inspection.
The committee said a comprehensive review meeting would be held to consider findings from the inspection and adopt measures aimed at accelerating project delivery, addressing implementation bottlenecks and ensuring that RAAMP interventions deliver maximum benefits to rural communities in Kogi State.
