World Bank to Build 534 km Road in Benue

The Rural Access and Mobility Project, funded by the World Bank, is set to construct 534 kilometers of rural roads across Benue State to improve the transportation of agricultural produce.

The State Project Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Numbeve, shared this information in an interview on Wednesday in Makurdi.

Numbeve also mentioned that the project would include the construction of warehouses throughout the state to store agricultural produce.

“We prioritised the development of engineering road designs for the 534 kilometres of roads we intend to construct. Surveys, geophysical studies, and final designs have been completed.

“With all these in place, we are ready to move forward once the funds are available. These roads will connect farms to markets, enabling farmers to transport their produce with ease.

“Beyond roads, we plan to build warehouses where farmers can store fresh or dry produce securely. This infrastructure will significantly boost agricultural productivity and market access.

“The roads span across all local governments in the state. However, there is no specific allocation or sequence for the 534 kilometres.

“These are not trunk A or trunk B roads, which are federal and state roads, respectively. Instead, they are trunk C or D roads designed to create access for farmers to reach markets,” he added.

The State Project Coordinator (SPC) explained that the slight delay in the commencement of the road construction was due to the nonpayment of the counterpart funds by the previous administration.

He mentioned that other states had paid their dues and made progress, but since the new administration took office, they have taken the necessary steps to address the issue.

“We are now at the stage of accessing funds from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.

“These funds will be directed toward building roads and markets. So far, we haven’t accessed any funds, but progress has been made.

“While access to funds is a challenge, it’s important to understand that international funding involves statutory requirements.

“These funds are not government resources, so certain prerequisites must be met. For example, counterpart funding is mandatory. If it isn’t paid, the funds cannot be accessed,” he said.

He stated that upon assuming office, there was also the issue of inadequate office accommodation.

According to him, the previous administrative setup did not meet the standards set by the International Technological Association.

He emphasized that they needed an exclusive office space to avoid undue political influence.