Lawyer and politician Patrice Akwara has called for stronger investment in rural development, arguing that Nigeria’s rural communities have the potential to become major economic hubs if supported with the right infrastructure, agricultural policies, and government attention.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Akwara said his political ambition is largely driven by the desire to improve economic opportunities and living conditions in rural communities within his local government area of Ngor Okpala in Imo State.
“Rural communities must become economic hubs,” he said.
Akwara explained that many rural areas across Nigeria remain underdeveloped despite possessing enormous agricultural and economic potential.
“We are a largely agrarian people,” he stated.
According to him, the absence of infrastructure and targeted government policies has continued to drive migration from rural communities to urban centres.
“I want to propose bills that can enable all these rural areas,” he said.
Akwara said that improving rural economies would reduce pressure on major cities while also increasing national productivity.
“So that this migration towards the urban areas will stop,” he stated.
He also stressed that rural residents deserve access to the same economic opportunities and infrastructure available in urban centres.
“It stops me from other people who live in Amala to find rail,” he said while discussing transportation and mobility challenges.
According to Akwara, his development plans focus heavily on agriculture, technology, electrification, and local enterprise.
“I really want to ensure that our rural communities are not laden with potential resources,” he stated.
He cited several projects he claims to have facilitated even before holding elective office, including rural electrification initiatives and ICT infrastructure projects.
“I’ve been able to attract Rural Electrification Agency to construct 4,000 solar mini-grids,” he said.
Akwara also disclosed that he facilitated the establishment of a computer training hub through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to support digital learning and broadband access in rural schools.
“I intend to expand it,” he stated.
According to him, agriculture remains central to his broader economic vision for rural communities.
“I built a rice mill,” he said.
He explained that the rice mill project was deliberately located within the rural community to create jobs and stimulate local economic activity.
“I believe that the rural people should be empowered,” he stated.
Akwara further revealed plans to expand commercial farming operations, including greenhouse projects and large-scale crop cultivation.
“I have a project to grow more than a million pieces of cabbage, lettuce, capsicum,” he said.
He argued that properly developed rural economies could significantly contribute to Nigeria’s national GDP and food security.
“Rural area communities can be an economic hub to contribute to national GDP,” he stated.
Akwara also criticised the management of federal allocations to local governments, arguing that greater accountability is needed to ensure resources reach grassroots communities.
“There should be a law that should think on how these federal allocations… are being managed,” he said.
According to him, local government funds are often controlled by state governments in ways that limit rural development.
“Instead of being domiciled and under the control of state executive governors,” he stated.
Akwara concluded that Nigeria’s rural communities possess significant untapped economic potential, insisting that stronger investment in infrastructure, agriculture, technology, and local governance accountability is necessary to transform rural areas into productive economic centres capable of driving national development.
By Ojo Triumph
