Gov.Buni Inaugurates Two New Agencies to Transform Rural Roads,Boost Food Security

By Alhaji Yusuf Damaturu 

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has inaugurated two new agencies under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in a move aimed at tackling post harvest losses and enhancing food security across the state.

The newly established bodies the Yobe State Rural Access Road Authority (YORARA) and the Yobe State Road Fund (YOSRF) were launched at the Don Etiebet and Benkalio Housing Estates in Damaturu.

Governor Buni, represented by the Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Shehu,performed the inauguration and expressed satisfaction with the offices and working materials provided.

Speaking after the inauguration,the Yobe State RAAMP Project Coordinator, Arc. Musa Suleh Damagum,explained that the agencies address a critical challenge affecting Nigerian farmers, poor road access to markets.

"Most of the food we consume comes from the hinterland, but lack of access is affecting farmers in two ways.First, they incur post-harvest losses due to delays between the farm and market,"said Damagum

According to him,to tackle this, Governor Buni has directed the construction of 200 kilometers of rural roads immediately, with approval in principle for an additional 300 kilometers,bringing the total to 500 kilometers. 

Damagum emphasized that the reform introduces a new financing mechanism to solve the perennial issue of road maintenance.

"Every project has a lifespan.When we wind up,there must be dedicated agencies to continue the work.The challenge in Nigeria is maintenance big projects are built with no provision for upkeep," He added.

The State Road Fund (SRF)Responsible for mobilizing resources and funds for the maintenance and construction of rural access roads, ensuring sustainable financing without direct government intervention.

While the Rural Access Road Authority (RARA), Handles the technical aspect, serving as the engineering outfit that uses the funds to construct and maintain the roads.

The initiative is part of Yobe State's qualification for the World Bank-funded RAAMP, a scaled-up project designed to provide farming communities with access to markets and social amenities such as hospitals and schools.