Kwara RAAMP Cautions 52-Youth Coalition Over False Claims On Rural Roads

By Ishola Gbenga

Kwara State Office of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has described as false claims by a group, “52-Youth Coalition”, that the ongoing drainage works on the Alapa-Hoko and Madi-Pekee rural roads are substandard.

The group had alleged that the contractor handling the project, Nael and Bin Harmal Hydroexport Nigeria Limited, deviated from standard engineering practice by using wire mesh instead of reinforcement steel bars for the drainage walls.

Refuting the claims during a site inspection on Saturday, September 26, 2026, the State Project Coordinator, Engr. Dr. Isaac Kolo, said RAAMP operations since inception have been guided by due diligence and transparency.

Engr. Kolo, who visited the sites with his team, clarified that British Reinforced Concrete (BRC) wire is the approved and recommended reinforcement for trapezoidal drains at Madi-Pekee Road, as the work is still ongoing contrary to the group’s assertion.

He stressed that the allegations were false and misleading and capable of portraying the state in bad light.

During the visit, stakeholders from the benefitting communities openly dissociated themselves from the coalition and expressed appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for bringing the roads to their communities.

They also commended the contractor, Nael and Bin Harmal Hydroexport Nigeria Limited, for executing a quality job.

In separate interviews, Chairman of Ayede-Ogundele Joint Community Association, Mallam Isiaka Adisa, alongside Alhaji Usman Akanbi and Alfa Issa Aremu Tope from Ogundele Community, disowned the statement by the youth coalition and pledged loyalty to the AbdulRazaq-led administration.

The RAAMP office noted that while it remains apolitical in line with its public service mandate, it was imperative to state that the coalition’s claims were unguarded and unfortunate, adding that not every governance issue should be turned into political commentary.

It further disclosed that Kwara qualified as a RAAMP participating state only after Governor AbdulRazaq paid the counterpart funds, stressing that the people of the state owe the governor gratitude for securing the opportunity.

The office cautioned the coalition and similar groups to exercise restraint and show responsibility and respect for facts in their public statements, especially during the political season, and urged them to avoid playing politics with critical development projects.