By Ayomide Otitoju
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has signed 14 Executive Bills into law, describing the legislative package as a major step towards strengthening governance, institutional reforms and the implementation of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Governor Eno assented to the bills on Tuesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, saying the new laws provide the legal framework needed to strengthen public institutions, close policy gaps and improve service delivery across the state.
“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,” the governor said.
Among the new laws is the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA-GIS) to modernise land administration and simplify land verification, acquisition and transfer processes.
The legislation also establishes the Senior Citizens Centre to enhance welfare programmes for the elderly, the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission to regulate standards and promote tourism, and the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation to strengthen public broadcasting and reposition the state-owned station for commercial operations.
Other institutions created under the new laws include the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency, the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, the Fiscal Responsibility Board, the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Public Defender, the Water Users Association and the University of Education, Afaha Nsit.
Governor Eno also signed amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, introducing zonal hospital management boards and district hospitals to improve healthcare administration and service delivery across the state.
He disclosed plans to redeploy medical doctors currently serving in administrative positions back to clinical duties, noting that prolonged absence from patient care could affect healthcare delivery and patient safety.
Speaking on the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, the governor said the law would strengthen transparency and accountability in government spending, adding that strict compliance with procurement procedures has contributed to the success of his administration.
On the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Eno said the law was designed to regulate operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with existing laws.
“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,” he said.
The governor also announced plans to transmit an Environmental Sanitation Bill to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to strengthen environmental enforcement across the state.
According to him, the proposed legislation will empower the government to clean neglected premises, recover the costs from property owners and seal affected buildings where necessary.
He said the measure would help preserve Akwa Ibom’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s cleanest states while complementing the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA).
Governor Eno further disclosed that additional healthcare reform bills would soon be presented to the State House of Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
He commended the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, members of the Assembly and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Emmanuel Bassey, for maintaining a strong working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
In his remarks, Speaker Udeme Otong described the legislative package as one of the most significant considered by the 8th Assembly, noting that the House had never passed such a large number of Executive Bills within a short period.
He said the new laws would strengthen governance, healthcare, economic development and public service delivery across the state.
Otong particularly hailed the amendment to the Hospitals Management Board Law, describing the establishment of zonal hospital management boards as a landmark reform that would improve healthcare administration and service delivery.
“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,” he said.
The signing of the 14 Executive Bills marks one of the most comprehensive legislative reform packages under Governor Eno’s administration and is expected to strengthen public institutions, improve transparency, enhance service delivery and accelerate socio-economic development in Akwa Ibom State.
