Efforts to institutionalize community-driven road maintenance and strengthen rural infrastructure received a boost in Akwa Ibom State as the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (AKS-RAAMP) and supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), concluded a two-day practical demonstration training for selected Road Maintenance Groups (RMGs).
The training, held February 10–11, 2026, in Uyo, focused on equipping grassroots maintenance teams with hands-on skills to manage rural road networks under a performance-based contracting model.
Declaring the course open, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. (Mrs.) Offiong Offor, described the initiative as a strategic step toward sustainability, stressing that the state is building local capacity to ensure rural roads remain functional even after the RAAMP project winds down.
According to her, RAAMP has already transformed rural communities by reducing travel time, lowering post-harvest losses, improving market access for farmers, and curbing rural-urban migration. She reaffirmed that the project aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s broader agricultural revolution agenda.
Beyond infrastructure delivery, the training highlighted inclusivity and empowerment.
AKS-RAAMP Coordinator, Pastor Gideon Akpan, disclosed that 52 Road Maintenance Group members have been formalized to manage 100.07 kilometers of prioritized roads across the state, following condition surveys on 17 routes totaling 146.23 kilometers.
He emphasized that the initiative intentionally promotes gender balance and social inclusion, revealing that 39.22 percent of the recruits are women, while 3.08 percent are persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“This is not a male-dominated initiative. Women are actively involved in field operations, and we are harnessing the abilities of persons living with disabilities. It is about building capacity across all segments of society,” Akpan stated.
The RAAMP team also reported that eight roads covering 52.3 kilometers have been scoped for spot improvement to address erosion, potholes, and drainage failures caused by heavy rainfall in the region. Detailed project reports and Bills of Quantities have been prepared, with some already submitted for approval.
In addition to technical roadwork training, participants received guidance on team building, leadership, and project management.
Akpan urged the RMG members to adopt clear role definitions, regular progress monitoring, and effective communication with stakeholders to ensure efficiency at project sites.
He identified challenges such as managing diverse teams, overcoming language and cultural barriers, and ensuring safety on site, while recommending regular meetings, transparent communication channels, and empowerment of team members to enhance performance.
Anohobi Joy Atuara, SRME, Akwa Ibom State, provided operational guidelines for routine maintenance, including vegetation clearing, desilting of drains and culverts, earthen drain construction, backfilling, slope trimming, cleaning of traffic signs, pavement sweeping, and minor pothole repairs.
To promote accountability and financial inclusion, bank accounts have been opened for all RMG members, with payments structured under a performance-based system.
Stakeholders say the initiative marks a shift from contractor-driven interventions to a more community-based maintenance culture, ensuring that rural roads, critical to agriculture and commerce remain motorable year-round.
With funding support from the World Bank, French Development Agency, African Development Bank, and the Akwa Ibom State Government, RAAMP continues to position rural infrastructure as a foundation for food security, job creation, and inclusive economic growth in the state.
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