A monitoring team from the State Cares Coordinating Unit of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) program conducted inspections across Plateau State’s central zone on Tuesday. The visit aimed to assess ongoing infrastructure projects managed by the Plateau State Fadama CARES Coordinating Office, with a focus on roads that facilitate access for farming communities.
Earlier in June 2024, the Plateau COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (PL-CARES) initiative began constructing access roads in more than 30 rural areas across Plateau’s 17 local government areas. This initiative has since expanded, with some roads being upgraded from simple graded paths to fully tarred roads, meeting higher standards of durability.
Key roads under inspection included the 6.3 km stretch leading to Panyam Cocin Health Care Center, a 4 km road connecting Ampang, Kwalpar, Ngal, and Dangmet, and the 18 km Kagu-Nopal-Kaper Road. These projects are part of a larger effort to boost agricultural productivity, reduce food prices, and position Plateau State as a leading agricultural hub.
Dr. Haggai Gutap, the Technical Head of NG-CARES in Plateau State, highlighted the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development. “Our initial goal was to grade these roads for accessibility, but with support from the governor, we’re now upgrading select routes to tarred roads,” Gutap said. “With over 70% roads completed, we’re working on more than 60 kilometers of improvements in this phase. The impact will open up opportunities for economic growth in farming, industrialization, and local employment.”
The NG-CARES program also supports farmers with essential resources, including fertilizers and herbicides, and is rehabilitating schools and healthcare centers across the state. Additionally, it has provided grants to over 6,000 small businesses, while direct cash transfers are aiding the state’s poorest residents, ensuring stability in consumption patterns.
Gideon Damdam, the overseer of the Plateau State Fadama CARES Coordinating Office, explained the rationale behind the road upgrades. “Our goal is to make roads available for farmers to transport their produce to markets efficiently. So far, we have rehabilitated around 35 critical routes to improve access,” Damdam stated, noting that better roads would also facilitate the purchase of agricultural inputs, leading to higher yields.
Project Engineer Esther Ago, responsible for supervising the work, expressed confidence in the durability of the roads under construction. “The materials we’re using are of high quality, and the contractors are adhering to rigorous standards,” she said. “We expect this first phase to reach 80-90% completion by year-end, with most road surfacing completed within weeks after the groundwork.”
The NG-CARES initiative, a World Bank-supported program, was launched to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing community infrastructure and supporting economic recovery across Nigeria. Plateau State’s progress in infrastructure development is among the most advanced, with a strong commitment to further elevating the state’s agricultural and economic standing.
