BENUE RAAMP

24/08/2026

A PAINFUL LOSS TO BN-RAAMP
It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that the Project Coordinator of Benue State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (BN-RAAMP), Mr. Stephen Sefa Numbeve and the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) mourns Mrs. Stella Abito, the Project’s World Bank Desk Officer.

Mrs. Abito, fondly known as Kokolet, was a dedicated and valued member of the BN-RAAMP family whose commitment, professionalism and service contributed meaningfully to the Project’s work and objectives. Her passing is not only a loss to her immediate family, but also a painful loss to the entire BN-RAAMP family.

In expressing her profound grief, staff paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family. The visit was an opportunity to share in the family’s grief, offer words of comfort and assure them of the organization’s solidarity and support at this difficult moment.
Staff expressed deep sadness over the loss, describing Mrs. Jija’s death as a painful moment for the organisation and acknowledging the void her departure has created among colleagues and associates.

BN-RAAMP management and staff extend their heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mrs. Stella Abito.

May her memory remain a blessing, and may her soul rest in perfect peace.

Rest in peace, Stella.

09/08/2026

BENUE RAAMP TO EXTEND INTERVENTION IN GWER WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT: NUMBEVE DECLARES
The Benue State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, BN-RAAMP, is to extend intervention in Gwer West Local Government to facilitate rural transport and boost agricultural marketing with the policy thrust of the Executive Governor of Benue State.
The State Project Coordinator of BN-RAAMP, Stephen Sefa Numbeve, made the remarks when he received a delegation of political leaders and traditional rulers at the BN-RAAMP Office Complex in Makurdi.
Mr Numbeve who acknowledged the critical roles played by political leaders and traditional institutions in the development of rural areas appreciated them for the visit and pledged a sustained harmonious working relationship with the delegation to improve lives of the rural populace of the Local Government.
He said, BN-RAAMP has the mandate to create rural access and improve agricultural marketing through construction of roads, culverts, bridges; in addition to building shops and warehouses to complement storage at the rural market in the state. He said the visit was timely considering interventions in some of the most critical areas of Gwer West to elicit movement of produce from farmlands to the markets and possibly encourage international trade and export orientation.
Mr. Numbeve who eulogized the bold step taken by the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Victor Ormiin and the traditional Council in their sustained drive to lobby for projects that will cushion the lives of their people. He promised to complement their efforts in the drive to provide critical infrastructures that will alleviate the hardship of their people.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area and leader of the delegation, Victor Ormiin expressed satisfaction with the role played by BN-RAAMP as an intervening agency in the state.
He said the visit was primarily in appreciation of the directive of His Excellency to BN-RAAMP on the approval and the award of the construction of a 30 meters 3-Span reinforcement concrete bridge at River Fete along Adem to Tse Ormiin village in Gert West Local Government Area.
The Chairman said the visit was on the request of the traditional rulers to appreciate the RAAMP State Coordinator for his understanding and approving the construction of River Fete bridge which is of no mean significance in the socio-economic development of the area.
Mr Ormiin who also decried the gap in the infrastructural deficit of the Local Government , Areaappealed for additional interventions to cushion the hardship of his people. He thanked the Governor for the renewed security architecture which has made way for the return of many of Internally Displaced Persons to their farmlands. In addition he appreciated the directive of the Governor to consider the Makurdi -Naka road for reconstruction. Such a gesture, he said, has prompted mass acceptability of the Governor for re-election come 2027.
Also speaking, the Mue Ter Raav, HRH Peter Ormiin, appreciated the BN-RAAMP Coordinator for the show of love to his subjects and praised him for considering them at all time and pray God to guide him in all his undertakings to remain significant for the entire state.
The delegation which was made of political stakeholders and traditional institutions also had the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Alexander Anshungu (Rtd), the Mue Ter Raav, HRH Peter Ormiin, the District Head of Nyamshi, Tyoor Mzahan David, that of Merkyegh, Tyoor Stephen Igba. Others include the Kindred Head of Mbashir, Zaki Nicholas Ioryoosu, that of Mbanyaga, Zaki Averwua Ahula, the Kindred Head of Mbaangyi, Zaki Emmanuel Anyagh and that of Ujam, Zaki Orshio Akpyo.

04/08/2026

COORDINATOR INSPECTS TRIPLE CELL CULVERT CONSTRUCTION AT UKOO STREAM IN OJU LGA
Today, Hon. Stephen Sefa Numbeve, Project Coordinator of BN-RAAMP, inspected the ongoing construction of a Triple Cell Box Culvert at Ukoo stream in Uje-Anchim on Ojegbe-Oboro road in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The inspection started with homage paid to the first-class Chief of the Igede nation, His Royal Majesty, Chief Ogah Ero (Rtd. CP). The Coordinator appreciated the royal father’s warm reception and his support for the development within his domain. He sought for royal blessings and stakeholder participation to deliver more developmental projects in the course of the project. His Royal Majesty, Chief Ogah Ero (Rtd. CP) responded by appreciating the BN-RAAMP team and the entourage for paying homage to him. He emphasised the importance of the project to his people, citing the communities that will be seamlessly connected through the Oju township-Ojegbe-Otunche route, which leads to Oboro in Cross River State. He also presented the potential of his kingdom in churning out agricultural produce in commercial quantities. He finally appreciated His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the numerous projects he has done and embarked on, laying particular emphasis on the Igumale Cement Factory and Taraku Mills Factory.

The Coordinator proceeded to the project site for inspection and ended with a stakeholder engagement with members of the Oje Community.

Accompanying the Coordinator on the inspection was the Infrastructural Engineer, Engr. Fevosun Joyce Akpen; Technical Assistant, Engr. Patrick Iorzua; Assistant Infrastructure Engineer, Engr. Ajai ; Prof. Stephen Onah and Prof. Tivde Amande.

19/07/2026

18/07/2026

GOVERNOR ALIA SET TO CONSTRUCT A 30M, 3-SPAN REINFORCEMENT CONCRETE BRIDGE AT RIVER FETE IN TSE ORMIN, GWER WEST.
BY Stephen Ijoh
The cloudy weather threatening a heavy rainfall this morning could not deter the people of Ucha from Merkyem and Nyamshi Council Wards of Gwer West in singing praises to God and the Governor of Benue State for such a glorious day.
The event marked one of the successful outings of the Executive Chairman of Gwer West, Victor Ormin. This was occasioned by the approved construction of a 30-meter 3-Span reinforcement concrete bridge at River Fete near Tse Ormin village. This project has indeed placed him in high esteem, as the first Local Government Council Chairman, under Governor Alia to lobby for such a facility for his people.
The bridge upon construction will connect Tse Kwaghbo in Adem to Tse Ormin down to Tse Gande and Atondir. It will also connect Kula to Gyaruwa down to Aondona to Ayaa- Mbalom in Gwer East apart from Mbashie to Tse Ayu. In essence, the bridge is multi-directional in linkages and prominent in the subsistence and commercial production of yams, rice, soya beans, millet, cassava, maize and many other agricultural products.
Addressing a mammoth crowd along Tse Ormin village, the Executive Chairman of Gwer West, Victor Ormiin expressed confidence in the administration of Governor Alia which he said was rural transformation-driven and appreciated the Governor for granting the facility to his people to ease rural transport and movement of farm produce to the markets.
He said such a gesture was unique as the community had never experienced it with previous administrations of the State. Such an effort, according to him, will be complemented by the construction of the road linking their farmlands to the market to boost marketing of agricultural produce in the areas.
He said the project, on completion, will boost economic activities in the area as well as improve on the economic well-being of his people who are predominantly farmers and called on them to reciprocate this kind gesture by re-electing the Governor in the next election.
In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, Stephen Numbeve said the project was specifically awarded to address farmers’ needs through opening up of rural areas and enhanced agricultural marketing that will provide for food security and as well as strengthen the security operations in the area.
Represented by the Head of Infrastructure Engineering, Engr. Fevosun Akpen, appealed to the communities to take the project very seriously and own it to alleviate their transit problems in the nearby future. She said the State government places a high premium on rural infrastructure development and called on the villagers to complement their roles by protecting the construction materials on sites and eschewing theft and other social vices that might frustrate the work.
Engr. Akpen who pointed out that youth constitute a greater proportion of the population in every rural setting implored them to remain useful by closing ranks with the contractor in the successful drive of accomplishing the work.
In separate responses, the Non-Executive Director representing the North Central States in the Bank of Agriculture, Sir Donald Kpochi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Alexander Anshungu (Rtd.), the State Commander of Benue State Civil Protection Guard, Captain Ajobi Ayuma (Rtd.), the former State Assembly member representing the people of Gwer West, Nyam Ahula, former Chairman of Gwer West and GLO, Henry Agba, former Chairman of Gwer West, Godfrey Chough, a PDP Chieftain and former Party Chairman of Gwer West, John Orkar and a host of others thanked Governor Alia for the consideration and pledged their unalloyed support to his administration and re-election come 2027.
In his vote of thanks, the Mue Ter, Raav, HRH Peter Ormin appreciated God Almighty for the day and thanked Governor Alia for finding his subjects worthy of the project. He said such a concession that is people oriented should be reciprocated and protected to attract more projects in future.
Responding, the representative of Jonrit and Cedas Nig. Ltd, Chia Teryila and the site Engineer, Saka Gabriel appreciated God and the Governor of the state for such an offer and promised to do their best in line with RAAMP specifications for the delivery of the project.
The event was attended by high profile political leaders from Gwer West, traditional rulers and Councillor representing Merkyem Council Ward, Ugah Austin, that of Nyamshi, Hinnan Ezekiel, a retired Director of Engineering, Paul Anshungu, the District Head of Merkyem, Zaki Stephen Igba, that of Nyamshi, Zaki David Mzahan and all their Kindred Heads from the two council wards with youth and women from all works of life.


Photo speak:

17/06/2026

NUMBEVE DIRECTS IMMEDIATE CONSTRUCTION OF A DOUBLE CELL CULVERT AT RIVER GWER AND UODUROGBA: COMMEND CONTRACTORS HANDLING SITES AT RIVER AKU 1 AND 2 AND RIVER KPA IN KONSHISHA.
By Stephen Ijoh

The State Project Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project in Benue State, Stephen Numbeve, has directed the immediate construction of a 3m × 2.4m Double Cell Culvert at River Gwer in Nyamnor community of Mbakya/Ikwe Council Ward in Gwer East Local Government Area.

The culvert, when completed, will connect Mase settlement and Abenga village all in Gwer East Local Government Area. The area is known for her production of cassava, rice, yams and other farm produce for commercial quantity.
Performing the ceremony at Nyamnor village square, the State Project Coordinator, Stephen Numbeve, explained that the Benue State government under His Excellency, Hyacinth Alia, has the rural dwellers at heart which explains his policy direction aimed at transforming the hinterlands of the state by translating local markets for international trade readiness. This he said, will promote the living standards of the people through access creation and ease of mobility.
He assured them that the era of construction of culverts by the Governor will soon be complimented with road constructions, rehabilitations, construction of bridges, stores and warehouses, for the preservation of farm produce and exportation.
Mr. Numbeve implored the people to remain steadfast and supportive of the Alia-led administration to secure more projects in the area; adding that the re-election bid of the Governor should be taken very seriously to sustain a massive Infrastructural development drive in the state. Represented by the Head of Infrastructure, Engr Fevosun Akpen appealed to the villagers to take ownership of the project and protect the materials on site for timely delivery of the project in this wet season.
Responding, the Tax collector of Nyamnor village, Ornguga Nathaniel and the Youth Leader, Terkaa Anye, the Admininistrative Officer, Benue State Civil Protection Guard, Nyamnor village, Terna Ornguga and a host of others thanked the leadership of RAAMP for the prompt intervention which they admitted will alleviate their transit system, especially in the movement of their farm produce from far Abenga village to Mase market.

In a similar mood, the representative of Dootash Global Services Ltd, Terna Ajoh, expressed gratitude to the state government over the award and promised to deliver the job on specification for the sustenance of their collaboration and called on the villagers to cooperate with the company to accomplish the work on time.
Relatively, the Coordinator recalled the previous handing over of two strategic culverts at River Aku 1 and 2 and also directed Victea Contractors Nig. Ltd to commence work in earnest for the construction of a single cell culvert at River Uodorugba that will complement water control and create access towards River Aku 1 and 2 at Mbaatuur, Mbator in Agbeede, Konshisha Local Government Area. Present at the event was the Kindred Head of Mbaywar, Zaki Tarhemba Anzor with the Village Head of Aku, Emmanuel Dom, the Chairman NURTW, Agbeede unit, Anyamhu Terhemba, Elder Atume Zande, Village Head and Ternenge Akuul, an area youth, all appreciated the Coordinator for the gesture and commended the Governor for considering their plight. They all prayed for God’s guidance and protection as he secures his re-election bid in 2027.

Meanwhile, Stephen Numbeve commended Iorpev Construction Company for the quality work done at River Aku 1 and 2 and pledged sustained collaborations with the company in view of her technical competence and timely delivery of work.
Also at River Kpa in Mbatondo, Mbater in Konshisha, the Coordinator eulogized SEKAB Nig. Ltd for the quality of work done in the construction of a 3.0m × 3.0m Double Cell culvert and promised continued synergy with the company in other areas of construction works.

15/06/2026

RAAMP TO RECONSTRUCT A TRIPLE CELL CULVERT AT RIVER UKOO: DIRECTS DESIGN AND BILL OF ENGINEERING MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION AT OGBILO STREAM IN OJU
By Stephen Ijoh
The Benue State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, BENUE RAAMP is set to commence the reconstruction of a triple cell culvert at River Ukoo in Oje community of Oju Local Government Area.
The culvert will serve the Oju township-Ojegbe-Otunche route , which leads to Oboro in Cross River State. The area is known for her potentials in producing yams, cassava, plantains, palm oil, ground nuts and citrus in commercial quantities. The 3m by 3m box culvert will complement vehicular movements and as well provide a shorter route for commuters to Cross River State.
In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Stephen Numbeve represented by the Head of Communications, Ijoh Stephen and the Assistant Infrastructure Engineer, Engr Terzulum Ankwagh, called on the people to remain committed to the project devoid of theft and other vices that may frustrate the implementation adding that the project will go a long way to benefit the community and people from outside of the settlements.
In separate remarks, the community chairman, Jairus Jonah Ochigbe, the youth leader of Oje community, Akirigwe Oga, the community laison officer, Victor Onah, a Vigilante officer, Tony Oga and other stakeholders who had converged for the interface expressed satisfaction in the Alia led administration for providing succor for the people.
They said, the project will provide relief to their prolonged sufferings as a result of the consistent overflow of water on the existing culvert which has impeded their movements especially in the height of wet season.
Also speaking, the representative of MIDJED.D. Nig. Ltd, Engr. Angbian Kumakwagh appreciated the leadership of the community for their reception and understanding during the interface and urges them to remain supportive to him to enable him accelerate work on site for timely delivery.
Meanwhile, while considering the plight of the people over the devastating culvert at River Ogbilo which connects Onyiniyi Iyeche village and the famous Igede forest, " Ipinu Igede Forest", which serves as a tourism point including research center, the Coordinator directed RAAMP Consultant, Engr Dominic Uye to immediately design the double culvert and provide the bill of engineering measurement and evaluation to allow for the bidding and award of contract for immediate ex*****on of the project.
The culvert, if completed, will facilitate the movement of farm produce to the Ihiobila weekly market and that of Oju daily market. Ogbu Victor, a native of the area appreciated the Governor for the gesture saying it will assist in the movement of palm oil and plantains.

15/06/2026

NUMBEVE DIRECTS CONSTRUCTION OF 3-SPAN BRIDGES AT RIVER AGYO AND UVASAA STREAM IN LOGO AND VANDEIKYA.
By Stephen Ijoh

The State Project Coordinator, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, Stephen Numbeve has directed the construction of 3-Span bridges at River Agyo which borders Buruku and Logo local government area with another at River Uvasaa in Mbawuar along Tse Muemue linking Mandeun in Mbadede council ward of Vandeikya Local Government Area.

The two 3-Span bridges which are very sensitive and critical to economic growth will connect Tyo-Gbenda u Tsumba, around Agwabi settlement in Buruku, through Ikyo market to Diba down to Anyiin road in Logo local government; while the other bridge at River Uvasaa is in replacement of an already existing bridge that collapsed.

When completed, the bridge at River Agyo will aid movement of agricultural marketing produce like cassava, yams, and soya beans while the bridge at River Uvasaa will facilitate movement of pepper, citrus, rice, sweet potatoes and other farm produce.
Addressing the communities separately, the Project Coordinator, Stephen Numbeve ably represented by the Technical Assistant, Engr Patrick Iorzua appealed to the people to team up with the contractor that was handed over both sites to enable speedy ex*****on of the project while also imploring them to take ownership of the project and secure it jealously to avoid theft of materials on both sites.

Mr. Jiir Msonga who is the Youth Leader of Igbom settlement in Logo and that of the Kaamem community of Tombo, Myina Nonguber, and the vigilante chairman of Igbom settlement, Manger Mchiaga, and that of Tombo, Achimba Tergbenda all were thankful to the leadership of RAAMP for finding their communities worthy of intervention and appreciated the Governor for the gesture.
They said, the bridge when completed will help them from the long transit challenges faced by the neighboring communities and prayed for other subsequent interventions in the area to alleviate their suffering.

At Uvasaa river, Abraham Gbaden Kurave a young man met at the site during the visit said the reconstruction of the bridge will ease all the communities along the road to access their markets in Ihugh and Vandeikya township. He said they have been suffering all the years to move their farm produce like citrus, rice, sweet potatoes, palm oil, pepper, groundnuts, yams and cassava and appreciate the state government for the effort.

In his remarks, the representative of Nic Technology, Engr. Ola Mohammed, appreciated the state government for the offer and called on the youth to team up with him for the successful completion of the project. He said, youth constitute the major working force in every society and was counting on their collaboration to achieve on the timely delivery of the work.