A bill to establish the Benue Road Maintenance Agency (BENROMA) has passed second reading at the Benue House Assembly during its plenary in Makurdi.

The House Majority Leader, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), who led the debate, said that the bill was designed to address the persistent deterioration of roads across the state by creating a dedicated agency responsible for routine maintenance.

Mr Dugeri decried what he described as a long-standing cycle of “build and neglect,” where huge sums were invested in road construction but little attention was paid to maintaining the infrastructure afterwards.

According to him, the proposed agency will bridge the gap between road construction and deterioration, ensuring that roads remain functional and safe for residents and businesses.

He explained that the agency would focus on routine maintenance of roads, shifting from the current reactive repair approach to a proactive system that prevents major damage before it occurs.

The majority leader also noted that the agency would prioritise all-season access roads, particularly those linking rural communities to urban markets.

He said that the initiative would help farmers transport their produce more efficiently, reducing post-harvest losses often caused by poor road conditions.

Mr Dugeri emphasised that improving rural-urban road connectivity would strengthen agricultural productivity in Benue, widely known as the Food Basket of the Nation.

He further said that the bill provided for the creation of maintenance teams across the state’s 23 local governments, a move expected to generate employment opportunities for youths.

He stated that the road maintenance was currently handled intermittently by the state ministry of works, housing and urban development, a situation he said had contributed to the rapid decline of many roads.

According to him, the establishment of a specialised agency with a dedicated funding stream would ensure sustained attention to road infrastructure.

Mr Dugeri illustrated the economic logic behind the proposal, stating that a road constructed at a cost of about N500 million could be maintained with roughly N5 million annually.

However, he warned that neglecting maintenance for several years often leads to structural failure, forcing government to spend as much as N400 million on reconstruction.

He described the proposed law as an example of fiscal responsibility aimed at preserving public investments.

He said that potholes and damaged sections of roads often lead to accidents and could create vulnerable points that criminals exploit.

Mr Dugeri added that efficient road maintenance would also strengthen food security by ensuring the smooth movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets.

He noted that delays caused by deteriorating roads often affect the timely delivery of goods such as yams, citrus fruits and grains.

Seconding the motion for the bill to be read a second time, the Minority Leader, Isaac Ochekliye (PDP/Ohimini), said that the legislation would greatly benefit the state if passed into law.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Bem Mela, to read the bill for the second time.

Following the reading, the speaker referred the proposed legislation to the House Committees on Works and Urban Development for detailed consideration.

Mr Emberga urged the committees to carry out a thorough review of the bill and present their report to the house in a week’s time. 

(NAN)