Umo Eno Gives Akwa Ibom Major Boost with 14 New Laws

In a significant move to bolster governance and development in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has given his assent to 14 critical bills, marking a substantial step forward in the state's pursuit of growth and reform. According to a statement from the Government House in Uyo, these laws are designed to provide legal backing to key institutions, bridge policy gaps, and ensure the continuity of programs aimed at enhancing the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom. The governor described the bills as a major step towards strengthening governance and expanding the gains of the ARISE Agenda, which is the blueprint for the state's development. Among the new laws is the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA-GIS), aimed at modernizing land administration and simplifying land verification, acquisition, and transfer processes. Additionally, the laws include the creation of the Senior Citizens Centre, which will institutionalize welfare programs for the elderly, and the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission, which will regulate standards and drive tourism development in the state. The Ibom Broadcasting Corporation is also being strengthened to position it for commercial operations and improve public broadcasting. Other significant legislations include the establishment of 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. Furthermore, Governor Eno has assented to amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, which will decentralize hospital administration into zonal management boards and provide for district hospitals, thereby improving efficiency in healthcare delivery. The governor expressed plans to redeploy medical doctors serving in administrative roles back into clinical practice, citing the potential adverse effects of prolonged absence from medical practice on service delivery and patient safety. He emphasized that the law establishing the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency would enhance transparency and accountability, noting that adherence to procurement regulations has been crucial to the success of his administration. On the establishment of the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Governor Eno clarified that the legislation is intended to regulate operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities, and ensure compliance with the law. '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 stated. The governor also announced plans to forward an Environmental Sanitation Bill to the State House of Assembly to strengthen environmental enforcement, enabling the government to clean neglected premises, recover costs from property owners, and seal affected premises where necessary. He expressed confidence that stronger legislation would help preserve Akwa Ibom's reputation for cleanliness while supporting the work of the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency. Additional health sector reform bills are also slated to be forwarded to the Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to reposition healthcare delivery in the state. Governor Eno commended the Speaker, Udeme Otong, members of the Assembly, and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, for the exemplary cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government. The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly described the package of legislation as one of the most significant in the history of the 8th Assembly, noting that the House had never before considered and passed such a large number of executive bills within a short period. He described the bills as people-oriented, stating that they would positively impact governance, healthcare, economic development, and public service delivery across the state. The Speaker 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. He reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to supporting the executive through timely consideration of bills that promote the development of the state. '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.