Anambra Assembly Passes Bill to Fix Village Roads

A proposed law seeking to create the Anambra State Rural Access Roads Agency has scaled second reading at the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Once established, the agency will be responsible for the planning, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of Class C and Class D roads across the state.

The Executive Bill, presented during Wednesday’s plenary, is aimed at improving rural accessibility, strengthening transportation networks and promoting agricultural marketing within communities statewide.

Leading the debate, Majority Leader Ikenna Ofodeme said the proposed agency would provide a structured and sustainable framework for managing rural road infrastructure, which he described as vital to economic expansion, particularly in farming communities.

Ofodeme, who represents Ekwusigo Constituency, noted that deteriorating rural roads have continued to hamper agricultural output, drive up transportation costs and restrict farmers’ access to markets. He added that the new agency would help close the infrastructure gap between urban centres and rural areas.

Other lawmakers, including Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata Constituency I), Chuks Azotani (Dunukofia Constituency) and Chief Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha Constituency II), threw their weight behind the bill. They described the proposal as timely and development-oriented, stressing that better rural road networks would stimulate trade, curb post-harvest losses and improve security in remote communities.

However, Bernard Udemezue, representing Anyamelum Constituency and recently returned from a six-month suspension, raised concerns that the proposed agency could encroach on the constitutional responsibilities of local governments. He argued that if adequately empowered, local councils should be able to perform the functions outlined in the bill.

Presiding over the session, Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze observed that a similar initiative exists at the federal level under the Federal Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, which is also active in Anambra State.

The legislative move follows the recent approval of over N16.7 billion by the Anambra State Executive Council for major infrastructure projects, including road construction, electricity supply, erosion control and urban renewal programmes across the state.