$60m World Bank Project for Abia

• $60m World Bank Project for Abia

Abia State has received $60 million (about N21 billion) to execute a World Bank-assisted Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said.

He spoke in Umuahia at a one-day workshop for stakeholders, organised by the state RAMP, on “The prioritisation of intervention areas and rural road links in Abia”.

Represented by Commissioner for Finance Obinna Oriaku, Ikpeazu said World Bank approved the facility to build rural link roads.

He urged benefiting communities to cooperate with the contractors to ensure quick completion.

The governor admonished the communities not to demand “marching ground” from the contractors.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports “marching ground” is money demanded by youths before allowing project development in their areas.

Ikpeazu said the state received $56 million from the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

He said erosion sites were receiving attention from NEWMAP facility.

RAMP National Coordinator Mr. Ubandoma Ularamu said a 500-km road linking communities would be built of targeted 900-km roads.

He said the roads, which led to markets, hospitals and cottage industries, were selected because of their economic importance.