A bill seeking to establish the Anambra State Rural Access Roads Agency has passed through second reading at the Anambra House of Assembly.

Speaking during plenary on Wednesday, the Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme, said that when passed, the bill would improve access to rural communities in the state.

“The bill also seeks to strengthen transport infrastructure and enhance agricultural marketing across communities in the state,” he said.

Mr Ofodeme, representing Ekwusigo Constituency, further said that establishing a rural access roads agency would guarantee a coordinated and sustainable approach to rural roads maintenance.

The majority leader said that the agency would oversee the overall management, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and maintenance of Class C and D roads in the state.

“This agency is critical to economic growth, poor rural road networks have continued to hinder agricultural productivity and access to markets,” he said.

Contributing to the debate, Anayo Okpalaeke, representing Aguata Constituency 1, described the bill as ‘a life saver’, saying that it will link rural areas to the urban centre.

Also speaking, Chuks Azotani, representing Dunukofia Constituency, said that when operational, the bill would reduce the difficulty faced by the rural populace in accessing urban markets.

Other members of the assembly who spoke during the debate described the bill as ‘timely and development-driven’.

The Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, said that a similar agency existed at the federal level and that it would be beneficial to Anambra people if replicated in the state.

Mr Udeze referred the bill to the House Committee on Works and Judiciary, with a two-week deadline to submit a progress report.

(NAN)