The Cross River House of Assembly passed the Rural Access Roads Authority Bill 2025 on Friday, a move aimed at transforming transportation infrastructure in rural areas.

The bill, which received overwhelming support during its final reading, seeks to address infrastructural neglect in rural communities by creating an authority that will oversee the construction and rehabilitation of access roads in rural areas.

The executive bill, sponsored by House leader Francis Asuquo, representing Odukpani State Constituency, went through its first and second readings on April 8 and May 8.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Transport and Marine Services for further legislative procedures.

Presenting the committee’s report, the committee chairman, Victor Nsa, reiterated the importance of rural roads, emphasising that they played a vital role in economic development.

Mr Nsa, representing Calabar South II State Constituency, also noted that such roads facilitate trade, improve agricultural productivity and enhance the overall quality of life in rural communities.

He listed some challenges that impeded the development of rural roads, including poor-quality jobs, inadequate funding and lack of maintenance, adding that the bill would address the issues.

“This bill will check the ugly trend, seeing that the authority will take responsibility for designing, managing, developing, reconstructing, rehabilitating and maintaining classes C and D roads.

“This also includes other infrastructures, such as road furniture, bridges and drainage structures installed for purposes of efficient functioning,” he said.

According to him, the bill, which has six parts and 39 sections, will connect farmers to markets for their produce while also providing access to agricultural inputs, leading to increased productivity and income generation.

Other lawmakers, who were unanimous in their support for the bill, emphasised the need for rural dwellers, who are mostly farmers, to have roads linking them to markets for their produce, thereby improving their standard of living.

They commended the proposed establishment of the authority, saying it would focus on developing and maintaining an effective rural road network.

On his part, the House speaker, Elvert Ayambem, commended the House Transportation Committee, the sponsor of the bill, and lawmakers for working hard to fast-track the procedures regarding the legislation.

Mr Ayambem also commended Governor Bassey Otu for his commitment to rural development, noting that the bill was a reflection of his “people first” mantra, aimed at ensuring the well-being of residents. 

(NAN)