RE: CLARIFYING THE FACTS ON RAAMP PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO MISLEADING CLAIMS BY MR. JOHN OKIYI KALU (JOK)
Mr. John Okiyi Kalu has once again made a series of misleading claims regarding the World Bank-supported Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in Abia State. While I had earlier addressed these issues on April 13, 2025, the persistence of this misinformation compels me to reiterate the facts, not to engage in personal exchanges, but to protect the integrity of public discourse and our development partnerships.
As a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, and an experienced Environmental and Social Safeguard Expert who has worked with the World Bank and other multilateral organizations, I owe the people of Abia a duty to speak with clarity and truth. The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) is a transformative initiative that must not be distorted for political gains.
To quote political philosopher Hannah Arendt: “The result of a consistent and total substitution of lies for factual truth is not that the lie will now be accepted as truth… but that the sense by which we take our bearings in the real world… is being destroyed.” It is in this spirit that I challenge the ongoing efforts to misrepresent facts and sow confusion. Abians deserve clarity, not political distractions.
Setting the Record Straight:
Mr. Kalu’s assertion that the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu secured a $60 million fund under RAAMP for 500km of roads and completed all preparatory steps including approvals and counterpart funding is demonstrably incorrect. RAAMP is a federal initiative supported by a $575 million World Bank credit extended to 19 participating states. The funds are not disbursed as fixed allocations, but based on performance indicators such as contracts awarded and milestones achieved.
There is no World Bank or RAAMP documentation that supports the claim of a $60 million earmark for Abia State. Moreover, the roads he listed—including the Umuahia-Abiriba road—are not RAAMP projects. These were executed and funded by the current administration of Governor Alex Otti, as clearly demonstrated during the commissioning of the 46.36km Umuahia–Abiriba road on April 11, 2025, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. These roads were constructed by firms like Craneburg, Ferotex, and CCECC to global engineering standards.
The “list of RAAMP roads” recently cited by Mr. Kalu is a geospatial inventory—a survey conducted using tools like SW Maps to assess the state of rural roads across the state. It does not constitute a list of designed or approved projects under RAAMP. The only current RAAMP-funded road project under execution is the 19.1km Itungwa–Amaise–Amari–Omoba–Obette–Mgboko–Abiaba–Ubi–Nkwo–Elechi Road, initiated in 2024 by the current administration following all World Bank procedures and safeguards.
Mr. Kalu’s suggestion that the Otti administration is “repackaging old projects” is inaccurate and unsubstantiated. The 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts referenced in his claims refer to state-funded infrastructure efforts, not World Bank-funded RAAMP projects. These documents reflect Governor Otti’s commitment to rural development, not duplication.
Counterpart Funding: Facts vs Claims
Contrary to the claim that the previous administration “fully paid” its counterpart funding obligation, records show that only ₦200 million in preparatory funds and an additional ₦330 million loan from UBA, totaling ₦530 million were provided during that period as a counterpart funding. This falls significantly short of the required contribution, which stands at approximately 11% of total contract values for accessing RAAMP’s basket fund.
In contrast, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has paid ₦600 million directly from the state’s resources without borrowing and has approved an additional ₦2.2 billion for the counterpart funding. This clear commitment demonstrates not only the administration’s fiscal responsibility but also its strategic foresight in unlocking development funds for the benefit of rural communities.
The previous administration’s decision to borrow ₦330 million from UBA to fund RAAMP contributions, despite the availability of federal and internally generated resources, was an unfortunate misstep. Such an approach to funding critical infrastructure projects, especially under concessional financing schemes like RAAMP, creates unnecessary debt burdens to the State.
Institutional Reforms and Sustainable Impact
It is important to highlight that one of the major bottlenecks during the past administration was the failure to enact the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF) into law. These frameworks are essential for the sustainability and maintenance of rural roads. Governor Otti’s administration has, within less than two years, successfully passed both RARA and SRF into law, an achievement that demonstrates serious governance and forward planning.
These reforms institutionalize infrastructure maintenance and funding, ensuring that improvements made today will be sustained for generations. They also rebuild trust with our development partners and enhance Abia’s reputation as a credible state partner under global financing frameworks.
RAAMP Project Progress Under Governor Otti
Under the proactive leadership of Governor Otti, RAAMP in Abia has made tangible progress:
- Pilot Road Construction: 19.1km Itungwa–Amaise–Amari–Omoba–Obette–Mgboko–Abiaba–Ubi–Nkwo–Elechi Road is under active construction.
- 59km Backlog Maintenance: Contracts for six lots at the final procurement process.
- 91.22km Upgrade Roads: Evaluation for five lots complete, pending World Bank review.
- Three Rural Market Improvements: Contracts signed, awaiting mobilization.
During a recent meeting with the World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiame Diop, Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s preference for durable road construction standards, specifically the use of stone base over laterite. This strategic shift ensures roads built under RAAMP will be long-lasting and cost-effective, yielding better returns for Abians and development partners alike.
A Responsible Call for Accountability
Let it be clearly stated: World Bank funds are governed by strict guidelines and third-party verifications. These resources should not be misrepresented or politicized. Public trust and the integrity of our institutions must be preserved.
Rather than recycling inaccurate information, Mr. Kalu is encouraged to provide verifiable documentation for his claims, including evidence of counterpart funding, World Bank approvals, and disbursed amounts. Without such documentation, his assertions remain speculative and misleading.
Conclusion
The people of Abia deserve facts, not fiction. Our rural communities deserve roads and markets, not recycled narratives. Under Governor Alex Otti, we are not only executing projects, we are institutionalizing development, restoring accountability, and rebuilding Abia State on the foundations of transparency, fiscal discipline, and integrity.
We encourage citizens to stay informed and support this transformational agenda. Every rural road surveyed under RAAMP is undergoing rigorous procurement and due diligence processes, not lip service. Let us rise above the noise and remain focused on building a stronger Abia, guided by evidence-based governance and collaborative development.
Thank you, Ndi Abia. Let us keep building.
