In a significant development for infrastructure in Benue State, the government has secured a €25 million grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to construct 500 kilometers of roads across the state. This was announced by Stephen Numbeve, the State Coordinator of the Benue Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), during a briefing in Makurdi on Thursday.
Grant Details and Project Scope
Stephen Numbeve provided details on the progress and plans for the road construction project:
Total Grant: €25 million from the European Investment Bank.
Project Length: 500 kilometers of road construction.
Number of Road Networks: The roads will span across 53 different networks within the state.
Project Preparation and Implementation
Numbeve highlighted the comprehensive preparations that have been made to ensure a swift start once the funds are disbursed:
Engineering Road Designs: Designs for 300 kilometers of roads have already been completed. Contracts for the remaining 200 kilometers were recently signed, with contractors ready to begin work immediately.
Collaboration: The project is part of a broader initiative that includes six other states—Edo, Anambra, Cross River, Taraba, and Borno.
Numbeve stated, “As a prelude to commencing work as soon as we get the funds, we have embarked on engineering road designs. We have been able to successfully work on the designs for 300 kilometers of roads and today we signed another contract for 200 kilometers of roads, and the contractor will be mobilized to the site today.”
The Benue State Government has shown commitment to improving the state’s infrastructure through this project:
Minister of Finance: The Minister of Finance has signed the agreement with the European Investment Bank on behalf of the state.
Expected Disbursement: Numbeve expressed optimism that the disbursement of funds would occur by June, allowing for the immediate commencement of construction work.
Impact on Benue State
This project is expected to have a transformative impact on Benue State by:
Improving Accessibility: Enhancing road connectivity across 53 networks, facilitating easier access to rural and urban areas.
Boosting Economic Activities: Improved roads will support agricultural marketing and other economic activities by providing better transportation routes.
Promoting Development: This infrastructural development is poised to attract further investments and development opportunities to the state.
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