The House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards decentralising road infrastructure management, as a Bill seeking to transfer federal roads—excluding Trunk ‘A’ roads—to the concurrent legislative list passed the second reading stage on Wednesday
The proposed constitution amendment, sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, aims to grant state governments and private sector investors greater authority to fund road rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Presenting the bill for second reading, House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, emphasised the need to accelerate infrastructural development by allowing state governments more control over road projects. According to Ugochinyere, the Bill, when enacted into law, will “accelerate development.”
The draft legislation outlined an amendment to the Second Schedule, Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution, inserting a new paragraph 32, which states, “A House of Assembly may make laws with respect to the construction and maintenance of roads other than Trunk A federal roads.”
The bill received overwhelming support from lawmakers during the plenary session, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. When put to a voice vote, the proposal was endorsed and subsequently passed for second reading.
If fully enacted, this legislation could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s road infrastructure management, easing the burden on the federal government while enabling states to take a more active role in maintaining and improving their road networks in the country.
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