By Itam Offor
In a landmark move to transform transportation infrastructure in rural areas, the Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Rural Access Roads Authority Bill 2025 into Law.
The bill, which received overwhelming support during it’s final reading, seeks to address infrastructural neglect in rural communities by creating an Authority that will oversee the planning, construction and rehabilitation of access roads in the State’s rural areas.
The Executive bill, sponsored by the House Leader, Rt Hon Francis Bassey Asuquo(Odukpani) went through its First and Second readings on Tuesday April 8, and Thursday May 8 respectively, before being referred to the House Committee on Transport and Marine Services for further legislative procedures.
While presenting the Committee’s report, it’s Chairman, Hon Victor Nsa (Calabar South 2) reiterated the importance of rural roads emphasizing that; “they play a vital role in economic development by facilitating trade, improving agricultural productivity and enhancing overall quality of life in rural communities.”
The Lawmaker further listed some challenges that impede the benefits of such roads, including; poor quality jobs, poor funding and lack of maintenance adding that the bill will 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 furnitures, bridges and drainage structures installed for purposes of efficient functioning.”
According to Nsa, the bill which has Six (6)parts and Thirty Nine(39) sections will 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.
Other Lawmakers, in their unanimous support of the bill, emphasized 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 will focus on the development and maintenance of an effective rural road network.
The Speaker Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem 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. He also commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu for his commitment to rural development.
Earlier, stakeholders had supported the proposed legislation during it’s public hearing stage. They maintained that the bill was a reflection of the”people first” mantra of Governor Otu aimed at ensuring the well being of CrossRiverians.
