The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, has called on the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately commence palliative work on federal roads across Edo State.
Rt. Hon. Agbebaku made the call during plenary while lamenting the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state. He described the harrowing experiences motorists face daily along the Oluku–Nifor–Sobe–Owo Road, Agbor Road, and Benin–Auchi Road, noting that the situation has become increasingly worrisome.
The Speaker commended the Governor of Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, for taking up the rehabilitation of the Sapele Road, and urged FERMA to mobilize its machines and personnel to sites across the state without delay.
He further directed the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Hon. Joy Ohonyo, to urgently address the situation along the Sobe–Ora Road by restricting the movement of heavy-duty vehicles to preserve the road’s lifespan.
Meanwhile, during plenary, the House committed the Bill for a Law to Establish the Edo State Agricultural Development Authority to the Committee on Agriculture after an extensive debate.
Flagging off the debate on the Bill, the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, stated that the proposed law seeks to ensure effective control, management, stability, accountability, and transparency in budgetary allocations and donor contributions towards agricultural development in the state.
He explained that the establishment of the Authority aligns with the Governor’s Shine Agenda and will help accelerate growth and development in the agricultural sector.
In their contributions, the Minority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, and the Member representing Owan East, Hon. Allison Okaka, described the Bill as timely, noting that it would enable farmers to access loans and other forms of support for agricultural activities.
Also at the plenary, three bills passed first reading. They include:
A Bill for a Law to Establish the Edo State Economic Planning and Development Council;
A Bill for a Law to Amend the Edo State Housing Estate and Real Estate Regulatory Agencies Law; and
A Bill for a Law to Amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law, 2012.
The House also received a petition titled “Threat to Life, Kidnapping, and Malicious Damage to Crops in Ekeke-Era Community in Owan East,” jointly signed by Yakubu Kadiri, Village Head, and Habibu Kadiri, Secretary. The petition was referred to the Committees on Security and Public Petitions for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the House considered and adopted the report of the Committee on Environmental Sustainability and Transport on a Bill for a Law to repeal the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law, 2023, and to enact a new law to provide for Sanitation, Pollution, and Waste Management in Edo State.
The House thereafter adjourned sitting to Tuesday, 28th October, 2025, after announcing the receipt of 30 copies of a Bill to Amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith.
