A bill for a law to establish the Anambra State Rural Access Roads Agency has passed through second reading at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The agency, when operational, will see to the overall management, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of Class C and Class D roads in the state.
The Executive bill which was presented during plenary on Wednesday, also seeks to improve rural access, strengthen transport infrastructure and enhance agricultural marketing across communities in the state.
Speaking during plenary, the Majority Leader of the House, Ikenna Ofodeme, explained that the establishment of the Agency would ensure a coordinated and sustainable approach to the maintenance of rural roads, which he described as critical to economic growth, especially in agrarian communities.
Ofodeme, who represents Ekwusigo constituency, said, “Poor rural road networks have continued to hinder agricultural productivity, increase transportation costs and limit access to markets.
“The proposed Agency would bridge the infrastructural gap between urban and rural areas.”
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Aguata Constituency 1, Anayo Okpalaeke, his Dunukofia Constituency counterpart, Chuks Azotani and the member representing Anaocha Constituency Two, Chief Ejike Okechukwu, lauded the bill.
They described it as timely and development-driven, emphasising that improved rural roads would boost commerce, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance security in remote areas.
However, the member representing Anyamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue, who just resumed sitting after a six-month suspension, argued that the proposed agency undermines the constitutional responsibilities of the local government system.
According to Udemezue, the functions outlined in the bill fall within the statutory duties of local governments if properly empowered.
The Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the plenary, noted that a similar agency exists at the federal level as the Federal Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, which is also operational in Anambra state.
This development comes a month after the Anambra State Executive Council approved more than N16.7 billion for key infrastructure projects, including road construction, power supply, erosion control, and urban renewal initiatives across the state.