Umo Eno Assents to 14 Executive Bills, Expands Governance Reforms in Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has signed 14 Executive Bills into law in a landmark move aimed at strengthening governance, institutionalising key reforms and advancing the implementation of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The bills were signed on Tuesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo. Governor Eno described the legislation as a significant milestone that provides the legal framework needed to improve public institutions, enhance service delivery and ensure the continuity of people-oriented programmes.
According to the governor, the new laws cover critical sectors of the state’s economy and governance and are designed to deepen development while extending the dividends of democracy to more citizens.
“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,” he said.
Among the new laws is the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA-GIS), which is expected to modernise land administration and simplify land verification, acquisition and transfer processes.
Other newly established institutions include the Senior Citizens Centre, the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission, the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, 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 into law amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, decentralising hospital administration through zonal management boards and creating district hospitals to improve efficiency in healthcare delivery across the state.
He disclosed plans to redeploy medical doctors currently serving in administrative positions back to clinical practice, stressing that prolonged absence from medical work could affect healthcare quality and patient safety.
Speaking on the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, the governor said the law would strengthen transparency and accountability in government spending, noting that strict compliance with procurement procedures has contributed to the success of his administration.
On the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Governor Eno explained that the objective is to regulate operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with existing laws.
“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 further announced that an Environmental Sanitation Bill would soon be transmitted to the State House of Assembly. He explained that the proposed legislation would empower government to clean abandoned or neglected premises, recover the costs from property owners and seal affected properties where necessary.
He added that additional healthcare reform bills would also be forwarded to the Assembly to further reposition the state’s health sector.
Governor Eno commended the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, members of the legislature and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, for their cooperation in ensuring the speedy passage of the bills.
Earlier, Speaker Udeme Otong described the package as one of the most significant legislative achievements in the history of the 8th Assembly, noting that never before had such a large number of executive bills been considered and passed within such a short period.
He said the laws would positively impact governance, healthcare, economic development and public service delivery, while reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to supporting policies that promote the development of Akwa Ibom State.
The signing of the 14 Executive Bills represents one of the most comprehensive legislative reform packages under the Umo Eno administration and is expected to strengthen public institutions, improve transparency, enhance service delivery and accelerate socio-economic development across Akwa Ibom State.
