AKWA IBOM GOV SIGNS 14 BILLS INTO LAW, APPROVES MAJOR GOVERNANCE, HEALTHCARE REFORMS
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has signed 14 Executive Bills into law, describing the development as a major step towards strengthening governance, institutionalising reforms and consolidating the gains of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
A statement issued by the Government House media unit in Uyo on Wednesday said the new laws would provide the necessary legal framework for strategic institutions, address policy gaps and ensure continuity of programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.
The legislation provides for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service, AKWA-GIS, to modernise land administration and simplify land verification, acquisition and transfer processes.
Other laws establish a Senior Citizens Centre to institutionalise 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 prepare the new station for commercial operations.
Additional legislation establishes the 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 and University of Education, Afaha Nsit.
The governor also assented to amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, which decentralises hospital administration through zonal management boards and provides for district hospitals to improve healthcare delivery.
Eno disclosed plans to redeploy medical doctors currently serving in administrative positions to clinical duties, warning that prolonged absence from medical practice could affect service delivery and patient safety.
He said the law establishing the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency would strengthen transparency and accountability in government procurement, noting that compliance with procurement regulations had contributed to the achievements recorded by his administration.
On the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, the governor explained that the legislation was aimed at regulating operators, protecting residents from fraudulent activities and ensuring compliance with existing laws.
Eno also disclosed that an Environmental Sanitation Bill would soon be transmitted to the State House of Assembly to strengthen enforcement and empower the government to clean neglected premises, recover the cost from property owners and seal affected properties where necessary.
He said stronger legislation would help preserve Akwa Ibom’s reputation for cleanliness while enhancing the activities of the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency.
The governor further revealed that additional health sector reform bills would soon be presented to the Assembly as part of efforts to reposition healthcare delivery across the state.
Eno commended the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, lawmakers and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Emmanuel Bassey, for what he described as effective cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Earlier, Otong described the package as one of the most significant legislative achievements of the 8th Assembly, noting that the House had never before considered and passed such a large number of executive bills within such a short period.
He described the legislation as people-oriented, saying the laws would have a positive impact on governance, healthcare, economic development and public service delivery across Akwa Ibom.
The Speaker particularly highlighted 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 make services more efficient.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working with the executive and ensuring the timely passage of legislation aimed at advancing the development of the state.
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