Governor Umo Eno describes legislative package as transformative step to strengthen governance, institutionalize reforms, and deepen democracy dividends
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has signed 14 Executive Bills into law, calling the historic legislative package a major leap toward strengthening governance, institutionalizing reforms, and expanding the gains of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
In a statement issued Wednesday by the Government House media unit in Uyo, the Governor said the new laws would provide long-needed legal backing for strategic institutions, close policy gaps, and ensure continuity of programs designed to improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom people.
“These bills, fourteen in all, spanning all critical sectors, will help expand the gains of our ARISE Agenda, provide the legal backing to fill existing gaps with concrete actions and deepen our growth and development so we may spread more dividends of democracy across our society,” Eno stated.
Key Legislation Passed
The newly signed laws establish:
· Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA–GIS) – to modernize land administration and simplify land verification, acquisition, and transfer processes
· Senior Citizens Centre – to institutionalize welfare programs for the elderly
· Hotels and Tourism Development Commission – to regulate standards and drive tourism development
· Ibom Broadcasting Corporation – to strengthen public broadcasting and position the new station for commercial operations
· Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency
· Public Procurement Regulatory Agency
· Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency
· Fiscal Responsibility Board
· Internal Revenue Service
· Office of the Public Defender
· Water Users Association
· University of Education, Afaha Nsit
The Governor also assented to amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, decentralizing hospital administration into zonal management boards and providing for district hospitals to improve healthcare delivery efficiency.
Healthcare Reforms Take Center Stage
Governor Eno announced plans to redeploy medical doctors serving in administrative roles back into clinical practice, warning that prolonged absence from medical practice could adversely affect service delivery and patient safety.
He also revealed that additional health sector reform bills would soon be forwarded to the Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to reposition healthcare delivery in the state.
Transparency, Regulation, and Accountability
On the establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, Eno emphasized that the law would consolidate transparency and accountability, stressing that adherence to procurement regulations had significantly contributed to his administration’s success.
Regarding the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, the Governor clarified:
“This is a regulatory agency. As a pastor, I believe in law and order. I do not encourage betting, but where it exists, it must be properly regulated.”
Environmental Sanitation Bill on the Horizon
The Governor further announced that an Environmental Sanitation Bill would soon be transmitted to the State House of Assembly to strengthen environmental enforcement. Under the proposed law, government would be empowered to clean neglected premises, recover costs from property owners, and seal affected premises where necessary.
“Akwa Ibom people have long been recognized for cleanliness,” Eno noted, expressing confidence that stronger legislation would help preserve the state’s reputation while supporting the work of the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency.
Legislative-Executive Cooperation Praised
Governor Eno commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, members of the Assembly, and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, for what he described as exemplary cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Speaker Hails Historic Legislative Package
Earlier, Speaker Udeme Otong described the package of legislation as one of the most significant in the history of the 8th Assembly, noting that never before had the House considered and passed such a large number of executive bills within a short period.
“These are all people-oriented bills that will affect the lives, the growth, and the development of Akwa Ibom State. We will continue to work with the Executive to move the state forward,” the Speaker said.
He particularly applauded the amendment to the Hospitals Management Board Law, describing the creation of zonal hospital management boards as a landmark reform that would improve healthcare administration and ensure more efficient services for citizens.
