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The Benue State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) is set to commence construction of strategic culverts in Ningev and Tsambe Council Wards of Vandeikya Local Government Area, aimed at enhancing commercial agriculture and improving rural connectivity.
The culverts, to be built across key rivers including River Akpen, River Atum, and River Ushakua in Ningev, as well as River Tyough ki Usambe in Mbagbor, Mbahile, and Tsambe in Gbem, will interconnect numerous communities, farmlands, and markets. The intervention is expected to significantly boost food production, ease transportation of farm produce, and strengthen agricultural marketing in the area.
The State Project Coordinator of BN-RAAMP, Stephen Numbevebe, disclosed the development during an interface with Traditional Rulers of Ningev extraction at a Traditional Council meeting. The engagement took place during a handover tour of project sites to contracted firms.
Represented by the Infrastructure Engineering lead, Engr. Fevosun Akpen, the coordinator charged traditional rulers to take full ownership of the projects, ensure community support, and prevent vandalism or plundering of construction materials on site. He warned that the state government would not tolerate any acts of sabotage while appealing for understanding and cooperation.
The District Head of Ningev, Zaki Tyoakaa Ayila, appreciated Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s goodwill in prioritizing the area at this critical time. He stressed that the intervention would meaningfully impact the lives of his subjects and called on the people to take the projects seriously while pledging unalloyed loyalty to the governor.
In separate remarks, the Kindred Head of Mbaagir, Zaki Torsho Terungwa, Youth Leader of Mbaagir Moses Ikyaave, and former Youth Leader of Ningev, Terver Tobias, all expressed commitment to support the projects and commended the governor for the facility.
The handover tour included representatives of contractors handling various sections, including Engr. Victor Ubili of Ter-Aron Nig. Ltd. (River Akpen), Agomic Energy Resources (River Tyough ki Usambe and River Ushakua linking Bako settlement to Tyokase in Mbaagir), among others. The contractors thanked God for the engagement and promised timely, quality delivery.
The culvert projects form part of RAAMPP’s broader efforts to transform rural infrastructure, reduce post-harvest losses, and support the agricultural transformation agenda of the Benue State Government under Governor Alia.
