The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Rural Access Roads Authority Bill 2025.
The Executive bill, which was sponsored by the House Leader, Mr Francis Asuquo representing Odukpani State Constituency, went through its First and Second readings before being referred to the House Committee on Transport and Marine Services for further legislative procedures.
It seeks to address infrastructural neglect in rural communities by creating an Authority that will oversee the planning, construction and rehabilitation of access roads in tne rural areas across the State.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Victor Nsa, representing Calabar South 2, while presenting the report, stressed that roads in rural settlements “play a vital role in economic development by facilitating trade, improving agricultural productivity and enhancing overall quality of life within such communities.”
The Lawmaker further listed some challenges that impede the benefits of such roads to include poor quality jobs, poor funding and lack of maintenance adding that the bill would address them.
“This bill has measures in place to check the ugly trend, seeing that the Authority shall take responsibility in the design, management, development, reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance of the class C and D roads including other infrastructure such as road furniture, bridges and drainage structures installed for purposes of efficient functioning,” he stated.
He also explained that the bill which has six (6) parts and thirty nine (39) sections would facilitate economic development by connecting farmers to markets for their produce while also providing access to agricultural inputs leading to increased productivity and income generation.
Giving their support of the bill, other Lawmakers spoke about the need for rural dwellers, who are mostly farmers, to have access roads to link them to markets for their produce thereby improving their standard of living.
They commended the proposed establishment of the Authority which they said would focus on the development and maintenance of an effective rural road network.
Addressing members of the House, the Speaker, Mr Elvert Ayambem commended the State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu for his commitment to rural development.
He also expressed gratitude to the Transportation Commitee, the Sponsor of the bill as well as all Lawmakers for working hard to fast track the legislative procedures of the bill.
Earlier, stakeholders who supported the proposed legislation during its public hearing stage, maintained that the bill was aimed at ensuring the well being of the people of the State.
Source; Monday Mbah, FRCN Calabar.
