Sunday September 28, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
The Akwa Ibom State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, AKS-RAAMP has been given a pat on the back, following her leadership position in the physical development of agro-logistics centers vis-a-vis other RAAMP states across the country.
National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Mohammed gave the commendation recently, during the joint Agrologistics Implementation Support Mission to Akwa Ibom State by the World Bank, French Development Agency and the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU.
Agro-logistics centers are rural markets which have been prioritized for transformation into standard business / commercial hubs – generously equipped with all the paraphernalia of any ultra-modern market such as lock-up stores, parking lots, banking and health facilities, cold storage, perimeter fencing, warehouses, water supply and uninterrupted power, etc.
Aminu emphasized that the mission was not a witch-hunting exercise, but to evaluate the implementation status of the state, identify gaps and provide support, considering the fact that agro-logistics is a relatively new component in the project.
He further observed that “only two out 19 RAAMP states have commenced implementation of the agro-logistics component and “having visited the three market sites currently being improved upon by Akwa Ibom RAAMP – the quality and pace of the job so far vis-a-vis the State Project Coordinator’s presentation, I can say definitely that Akwa Ibom is leading in this regard.”
The World Bank Task Team Leader, TTL on Agro-logistics, Mr. Samuel Tefesse also applauded AKS-RAAMP, describing the height attained so far as very encouraging.
Tefesse however made a strong case for erstwhile traders in the markets, who had sacrificed their conveniences to enable the physical improvement activities in the respective markets and emphasized that those categories of traders should be the first beneficiaries for allocation of the shops when completed. Besides, “a comprehensive management plan that would accommodate all stakeholders, interests and maintenance of the markets, even before completion in the interest of sustainability of theproject.”
On her part, Mrs. Funmi Oyeloa – World Bank Social Safeguards Specialist advised that upon completion, the shops should be affordable, most especially to the original traders, installmental payment for the shops should considered, while the market designs should be reviewed to accommodate people living with disabilities. “It is important to guard against possible hijacking by political interests, if we must realize the desired results.”
Design and civil works issues, among other structural concerns were also reviewed by the FPMU engineering team, headed by Engr. Bukar Gana.
Earlier in his presentation, the State Project Coordinator of AKS-RAAMP, Pastor Gideon Akpan had named the three markets under intervention as Ekponwa, Naira and Atabong beach markets in Nsit Ibom, Ikono and Okobo Local Government Areas respectively, with June, 2026 as the expected completion dates.
He solicited approval for intervention in more markets in order to address the growing economic needs of the state.
