Outrageous: RAMP Blacklist Imo State, From Receiving 500 Million Dollars World Bank Project Fund

By Okey Alozie

Imo Rescue Mission government has been thrown into pains and difficult situation over its exclusion from the 500 Million Dollars, Rural Access and Mobility Project Fund (RAMP) which governor Rochas Okorocha has been hunting for since he emerged as the Chief Executive of the State.

The National Coordinator of RAMP, Ularamu Ubandoma in Abuja last Friday disclosed that Imo State, Enugu, Ebonyi and few other States have been excluded from States to receive the 500 Million Dollars World Bank projects.

According to him, the selected states are able to meet criteria set up by the RAMP and three (3) other development partners.

In addition, he revealed that 50 to 60 million dollars would be used to construct about 500Km roads in each of the 18 participating states across the country.

“The whole essence of the project sponsored by the World Bank French Development Bank and African Developmental Bank is to provide suitable road network for rural farmers to convey their farm produce to the market to avoid losses”. The coordinator stated

The assessment team from World Bank were in Imo State last year for verification. Information revealed that the assessment team went round the state with Rescue Mission agent but unfortunately Imo State could not meet up with the criteria set up by RAMP.

This development has put the State Government in big wahala and Governor Rochas is said to be having sleepless night over this.

The farmers themselves who would have benefited much from the project are equally not happy on the latest development.