RAAMP: OYSG Trains 112 Youths On Data Collection Strategies Of Rural Roads

… Promises accessible roads to markets hubs.

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

Oyo State Government through Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project RAAMP, has trained over 112 enumerators for Nigeria Road Transport Infrastructure Management System NiRTIMS Data Collection Strategies and Recording of RAAMP Roads Features in the state.

Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi,while
declaring A- 5 Day training programme for enumerators on data collection strategies and recording of RAAMP roads Features, held at Plaza De Aruna, in Oyo,said that the objective of the project, is to improve Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing in the participating states.

He maintained that strengthening the financing and institutional base for sustainable management of the rural and state road network, may be a mirage without having the NiRTIM tools in place, adding that the 112 Enumerators after the training will move to the field (RAAMP) roads and take the coordinate and features of the roads and by this, it will enhance smooth activities of contractors on site.

He urged the participants to pay maximum attention to the training in order to meet up with the World Bank standard.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Otunba Bode Raji, commended the present administration in the state under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde for prioritizing development of rural areas and betterment of its dwellers since the administration came on board.

He explained that the project (RAAMP) which supported by World bank and French Development Bank (L’ Agence Francaise De Development Agency AFD), aimed at improving rural accessibility and to strength financing institutional base for sustainable management of the rural and state roads network.

Commending the State Project Implementation Unit SPIU of RAAMP for their selfless efforts in ensuring active participation of the state,
He advised the participants to play their quota in the development of the state.

In his speech, the State Project Coordinator, RAAMP, Dr. Yode Ayanlowo, said 112 Enumerators were separated to two groups to avert the training being crowded to ensure proper monitoring, adding that after the training, the Enumerators will move to the RAAMP roads to take data and recording of RAAMP roads within the state.

He hinted that, Oyo state, among the participating states, under the Engr. Seyi Makinde led administration has been enjoining more attention of government through prompt release of counterpart fund which has made the state outstanding among other participating states.

The SPC stated that the project commenced in 2016 and since then, has embarked on various activities prerequisite to the proper project implementation such as rural roads inventory, privatization of rural roads, agro-logistics studies and value chains validation and many more which prompted full implementation of the project in the state.

He stressed that this would not have been without the prompt release of fund by government.

Speaking on the importance of the training, Dr. Yode Ayanlowo said, understanding of NiRTIMS and its adequate subsequent application to roads features taking, will go along way to set rise adequate roads designs and supervision for construction/rehabilitation.

According to him,
the training came in fulfillment of the requirement by the World Bank to operationalize the use of NiRTIMS and CoSMoS software applications, primarily designed to help plan and monitor progress of work during the construction of road infrastructures in the Rural areas, adding that there is no doubt that an improved rural access will enhance agricultural potentials and increasing opportunities for the agrarian rural communities in the state and by extension help in the improvement of livelihoods of the rural dwellers.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Miss Olabisi Busola and Mr. Elijah Alao, commended Oyo State Government for its various efforts in ensuring Youths empowerment, since the inception of this administration, saying that the training exposed them to various applications useful for agricultural expansion, adding that through RAAMP, many Youths would be eager to go back to farming due to the availability of good roads and drainages.

The duo, enjoined youths to desist from castigating government and play their part in developing our state,
saying that government cannot do it all, we all have part to play in the development of our dear state and country at large.