The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday advanced a bill aimed at establishing the Edo Rural Access Roads Authority to Second Reading as part of efforts to improve the development and maintenance of rural roads in the state.
The proposed law seeks to repeal the existing Edo Rural Access Road Agency Law of 2025 and replace it with a stronger legal framework that will empower the new authority to handle the reconstruction and maintenance of Class C and D roads.
Majority Leader Sunday Ojezele, who led the debate during plenary in Benin, argued that the current agency, despite being created in 2025, had failed to deliver effectively on its mandate. He said a more robust legal structure was therefore necessary.
Kingsley Ugabi (Etsako East) supported the bill, noting that better rural roads would ease the movement of farm produce to major towns and improve access to government services in underserved communities.
Maria Edeko (Esan North-East II) also backed the legislation, describing rural roads as a critical part of the state’s transport system and an important factor in raising the living standards of rural residents.
Eric Okaka (Owan East) joined in supporting the bill and called for its speedy consideration.
Speaker Yekini Idaiye subsequently referred the bill to the House Committee on Environment and Sustainability for further legislative processing.
In a related development, the House received 30 copies of the Edo City Transport Services Bill. The proposed law seeks to replace the municipal transport law of 1993 with a new framework for managing city transport services. It was read for the first time.
Consideration of another bill — the Edo State Agency for Education Quality and Accountability Bill — was deferred to a later legislative day. The bill is intended to strengthen monitoring, quality assurance and standards in the education sector.
Deputy Speaker Atu Osamwonyi used the opportunity to commend the state government for ongoing road rehabilitation works in the Government Reserved Area of Benin City. He recalled visiting the project site on October 19 with APC State Chairman Jarrett Tenebe and finding contractors still working as late as 2 a.m.
Osamwonyi described the level of activity as impressive and praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for addressing the infrastructure challenges in the area.
The House adjourned sitting until Tuesday, November 10.
