From Ebohon Joan
The Edo State House of Assembly has advanced a bill seeking to establish the Edo Rural Access Roads Authority to its second reading as part of efforts to improve the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of rural roads across the State.
The bill, which was considered during Monday’s plenary in Benin City, seeks to repeal the Edo Rural Access Road Agency Law, 2025, and replace it with a new legal framework that will empower the proposed authority to oversee the reconstruction and maintenance of Class C and D roads.
Leading the debate, the Majority Leader, Sunday Ojezele, said the existing agency had not effectively delivered on its mandate since its establishment in 2025, stressing the need for a stronger institutional framework to address rural road challenges.
Supporting the proposed legislation, the member representing Etsako East, Kingsley Ugabi, said improved rural roads would ease the difficulties faced by farmers in transporting agricultural produce to major markets and towns.
He added that better road networks would also improve access to government services in underserved communities.
Similarly, Maria Edeko, representing Esan North-East II, described rural roads as a critical component of the state’s transport infrastructure, noting that their development would significantly improve the living conditions of rural residents.
Eric Okaka, representing Owan East, also backed the bill and called for its speedy consideration.
Following the debate, the Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, referred the proposed legislation to the House Committee on Environment and Sustainability for further legislative consideration.
In another development, the House received 30 copies of the Edo City Transport Services Bill, which seeks to repeal the existing municipal transport law of 1993 and introduce a new framework for the administration of city transport services across the state.
The bill was subsequently read for the first time.
Meanwhile, consideration of a bill seeking to establish the Edo State Agency for Education Quality and Accountability was deferred to another legislative day. The proposed agency is expected to strengthen monitoring, quality assurance and standards in the state’s education sector.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Atu Osamwonyi, commended the state government for ongoing road rehabilitation projects within the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Benin City.
Osamwonyi recalled visiting the project site on October 19 alongside the APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, where they reportedly met contractors working on the road at about 2 a.m.
He described the level of commitment demonstrated at the site as commendable and praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for the intervention, particularly in addressing infrastructure challenges in the area.
The House thereafter adjourned plenary to Tuesday, November 10
