Governor Umo Eno signs 14 bills

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has signed 14 landmark Executive Bills into law, in a sweeping legislative move aimed at strengthening governance, reforming key public institutions and accelerating the implementation of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.

Key Highlights:

• Governor Umo Eno signs 14 Executive Bills into law.
• New laws establish agencies for land administration, tourism, healthcare, procurement and revenue.
• Government creates University of Education, Afaha Nsit and Senior Citizens Centre.
• Procurement, fiscal responsibility and revenue reforms expected to improve transparency.
• Governor plans fresh environmental sanitation and healthcare reform bills.

Governor Eno described the legislation as a major milestone that provides the legal framework needed to sustain reforms, close policy gaps and guarantee the continuity of programmes designed to improve the welfare of Akwa Ibom residents.

The newly enacted laws establish the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA-GIS) to modernise land administration and simplify land verification, acquisition and transfer processes. Other institutions created include the Senior Citizens Centre, the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission, and the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, which is expected to strengthen public broadcasting while positioning the state-owned media organisation for commercial operations.

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The Governor also signed into law bills establishing the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency, Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Fiscal Responsibility Board, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Public Defender, Water Users Association, and the University of Education, Afaha Nsit.

In addition, Governor Eno approved amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, creating zonal hospital management boards and district hospitals to improve efficiency, decentralise administration and enhance healthcare delivery across the state.

Speaking on health sector reforms, the Governor disclosed plans to redeploy medical doctors currently serving in administrative positions back to clinical practice, stressing that prolonged absence from patient care could affect healthcare delivery.

He said the establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency would strengthen transparency, accountability and due process in government contracting, noting that strict compliance with procurement regulations has contributed significantly to the success of his administration.

On the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Governor Eno clarified that the objective was to regulate the industry, protect residents from fraudulent operators and ensure compliance with the law rather than encourage gambling.

“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 that an Environmental Sanitation Bill would soon be forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. According to him, the proposed legislation will empower government to clean neglected premises, recover associated costs from property owners and seal affected buildings where necessary.

He added that more healthcare reform bills would soon be presented to lawmakers as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the state’s health sector.

Governor Eno commended Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, members of the Assembly and the Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, for sustaining a productive relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Earlier, Speaker Otong described the package of legislation as one of the most significant achievements of 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 would strengthen governance, improve healthcare, boost economic development, enhance transparency and deliver better public services across Akwa Ibom State.

The signing of the 14 Executive Bills represents one of the most ambitious legislative reform packages under Governor Umo Eno’s administration and is expected to strengthen institutions, improve service delivery and support long-term socio-economic development in Akwa Ibom State.