FG Sets Aside N59bn for Rural Roads Development

By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel

The federal government said it has set aside a total of N59 billion for the construction and development of rural roads.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba, who further revealed that N34 billion was specifically earmarked for rural roads development.

He added that an additional N17 billion is for sustainability planning, with N8 billion from the 2021 budget for rural development.

Mr Agba, while speaking at the 7th Biennial Retreat 2021  in Benin City, Edo State, stated that the development of the community solely rests on the shoulders of the sub-national government and not the federal government alone.

He, however, stressed that the total figure earmarked for rural road development indicates that the federal government was set to doing more work for a responsibility meant for the sub-national governments.

“Community development is a primary responsibility of the sub-national government, not the federal government. But, the federal government is doing a lot,” Mr Agba disclosed at the event organised in his honour by the Weppa Wanno Pyramid Club of Nigeria tagged Security Challenges In Our Communities: The Way Forward.

While receiving the award from the group, the Minister said: “As a normal human being, I feel happy, good, encouraged and elated because it means; what I am doing is on the right path.

“They are trying to motivate me to continue the good work. Although, one does not look forward to getting an award for doing what is right, however, I just believe in doing the right thing.”

During his contribution as a keynote speaker at the event, the Managing Director of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, Mr Kennedy Izuagbe, noted that in order to ensure more safety in the rural areas like the northern part of Edo State – Afemai land, the various security agencies should be equipped with modern security gadgets.

He said, “What we need to do to fight crimes is to ensure we give the police, vigilantes, and other security agencies vehicles, arms Communication gadgets, and all they needed to be effective in crime-fighting.”

“Because if they are well equipped, mobilize, and motivated, they will do well. I also believe that, if our vigilantes come together, they should be able to form a formidable network to prevent further increase of insecurity in Afemai land,” he added.