Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has signed 14 Executive Bills into law in a move aimed at strengthening governance, improving public service delivery and advancing the implementation of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Speaking after assenting to the bills, the governor said the new laws provide the legal framework needed to strengthen key institutions, address policy gaps and ensure the continuity of programmes designed to improve the welfare of residents across the state.
Eno noted that the legislation cuts across major sectors of the economy and would help accelerate development by providing stronger institutional support for government initiatives.
Among the newly enacted laws are those establishing the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA-GIS) to modernise land administration, the Senior Citizens Centre to enhance welfare programmes for the elderly, the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission to regulate the hospitality industry and promote tourism, and the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation to strengthen public broadcasting and commercial operations.
The package of legislation also creates 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.
The governor also approved amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, introducing zonal management boards and district hospitals to improve healthcare administration and service delivery across the state.
As part of ongoing reforms in the health sector, Eno announced plans to redeploy medical doctors currently serving in administrative positions back to clinical duties, stressing that prolonged absence from medical practice could affect patient care and healthcare standards.
He said the establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency would further strengthen transparency and accountability in government spending, adding that strict adherence to procurement procedures had contributed significantly to the achievements recorded by his administration.
On the newly established Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, the governor explained that the law was designed to regulate operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Describing the agency as a regulatory body, Eno maintained that while he does not encourage betting, proper oversight is necessary wherever such activities exist.
The governor further disclosed that an Environmental Sanitation Bill would soon be presented to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to strengthen environmental enforcement.
He said the proposed legislation would empower authorities to clean neglected premises, recover associated costs from property owners and seal affected buildings where necessary.
He added that more health sector reform bills would soon be transmitted to lawmakers as part of efforts to further reposition healthcare delivery in the state.
Eno commended the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, members of the legislature and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Emmanuel Bassey, for maintaining a strong working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Earlier, Speaker Otong described the legislative package as one of the most significant handled by the 8th Assembly, noting that the House had never processed and passed such a large number of executive bills within a short period.
He said the new laws were designed to improve governance, healthcare, economic development and public service delivery, while reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to supporting policies that would drive sustainable growth and development across Akwa Ibom State.