The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has commended the World Bank and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) for their strategic partnership with his administration in advancing rural development through the construction of critical access roads across the state.
Governor Nwifuru made the commendation while receiving a high-powered delegation from the World Bank and the RAAMP Federal Project Monitoring Unit Task Team, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abakaliki.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, GCEHF, the Governor underscored the vital role of rural infrastructure in promoting agricultural productivity and economic growth. He assured the delegation that all financial investments and interventions in Ebonyi State are being prudently managed to improve the livelihoods of rural farmers and communities.
Governor Nwifuru also urged the delegation to undertake a comprehensive inspection of completed and ongoing project sites across the state. He reaffirmed Ebonyi State’s unwavering commitment to providing prompt counterpart funding for development initiatives that enhance the welfare of its citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the World Bank Team Lead, Nana Soetanri, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Dr. Aminu Bodinga, explained that the delegation was in Ebonyi State to provide technical support and assess the implementation of ongoing and completed rural road projects.
Dr. Bodinga praised Governor Nwifuru for his exemplary leadership and the timely release of the state’s counterpart funds for various phases of the project. He assured the Governor that Ebonyi State remains a priority beneficiary of RAAMP interventions aimed at linking rural farming communities to urban markets and accelerating agricultural economic development.
The meeting was attended by key government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Emmanuel A. Echiegu; the Commissioner for Rural Development, Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor; the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Engr. Donatus Uche; the Deputy Principal Secretary, Chief Oke Oreke; the Special Assistant on the Deputy Governor’s Office, Hon. Mrs. Kelechi Aja-Ani; the Ebonyi State RAAMP Project Coordinator, Engr. Anayo Felix Otta; and other members of the State Executive Council.
The visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Ebonyi State Government, the World Bank, and RAAMP in driving sustainable rural infrastructure development, improving access to markets for farmers, and advancing inclusive economic growth across the state.
