Mr. Maysam Abedin, a consultant, has put forth a compelling case for the collaborative enhancement of rural access roads across Nigeria. He believes that a united effort among stakeholders can significantly reshape the country’s cross-border road network, ultimately improving transportation for rural farmers who currently face challenges due to inadequate road conditions.
Speaking at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop on Road Sector Reform, organized by the World Bank and the National Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in collaboration with the Adamawa RAAMP office in Yola, Mr Abedin stressed the importance of this initiative.
Participating virtually via Zoom, Mr. Abedin noted that this workshop marked a pivotal moment for dialogue among stakeholders. He outlined key objectives for the meeting, including increasing awareness of potential reforms and actively seeking feedback on proposed changes.
In his reform proposal, Mr Abedin identified critical challenges such as limited funding for road maintenance and insufficient institutional capacity. To address these issues constructively, he recommended establishing a State Road Fund Board (SRFB) and a Rural Access Road Authority (RARA), as well as introducing a Capital Levy on state government expenditures. These measures are aimed at fostering sustainable improvements.
Several stakeholders expressed enthusiasm about the discussions and their commitment to working collaboratively on rural access road improvements. They expressed optimism that a forthcoming bill addressing rural road maintenance, currently in the House of Assembly, will deliver effective solutions once it is passed and approved.
The workshop engaged a diverse group of participants, including representatives from government ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), local governments, and the private sector. Notable attendees included Mr Titus Solomon, Commissioner for the Ministry of Rural Infrastructure; Zubairu Adamu, State Coordinator of RAAMP; Alhaji Ahmed Jingi Belel, a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly representing Maiha, and Architect Dogara Durkwa, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Community Mobilization. Their active involvement signifies a strong collective commitment to addressing the vital issue of rural road access in Nigeria.
