A bill for a law to establish the “Anambra State Rural Access Roads Development Agency (ASRARA) Bill 2026″, has scaled through second reading.
The bill is established for the purpose of overhaul and management of reconstruction and maintenance of Class C and Class D roads in Anambra State.
Leading the debate at plenary on Tuesday, February 24th, the Majority Leader of the House, Sir. Ikenna Ofodeme, says the bill aims to improve rural access, transport infrastructure, agricultural marketing, and to make provisions for connected matters.
According to Ofodeme who is the lawmaker representing Ekwusigo Constituency, the bill is designed to bring developmental plan to the grassroots and solve road problems and will activate the Mayors of the 21 local governments in Anambra through the agency.
Hon. Ofodeme while speaking on the objectives of the bill, stated that it will rehabilitate and maintain the class C and D roads in Anambra, imprve transport conditions and sustain the development of rural road sector.
Supporting the second reading of the bill, Minority Leader, Johnbosco Akaegbobi, Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha two), Deputy Minority Leader, Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru one), Patrick Udoba (Anambra West), Nkechi Ogbuefi (Anaocha one), Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North two) MiMi Azikiwe (Onitsha North one), Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata one), Chuks Azotani (Dunukofia),
and Obi Nweke (Anambra East), in their separate submissions, said the bill will impact the lives of those residing at rural areas, improve business and revenue in local government.
According to the lawmakers, the bill will galvanized all the rural roads because of the economic importance attached to it, which will make the rural areas dwellers
feel a sense on belonging.
” The development and maintenance of this rural roads will give ndi Anambra access to education, health care, improve economy and impact the lives of those living in those areas.
“The establishment of this agency will be a better approach in solving rural roads development and maintenance, and will also reduce the burden of ministry of works and Infrastructure”.
Speaking against the bill, Hon. Barnard Udemezue (Ayamelum) said the bill is attempting to make nonsense of the intention of those who designed the three arms of government (Federal, state and local).
Hon. Udemezue maintained that the scope of the bill is nothing new to the duties of the local government, if empowered.
The Speaker of the 8th Anambra Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided plenary referred the bill to a joint committee on Works and Infrastructure, and also committee on Judiciary.
The House adjourned and to reconvene on Thursday 26th February 2026.
