RismadarVoice Reporters
July 28, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has signed 14 Executive Bills into law in a major legislative milestone aimed at strengthening governance, institutionalising reforms and expanding the gains of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The Governor assented to the bills on Tuesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, describing the new laws as critical instruments that will provide the legal framework needed to sustain development programmes, strengthen public institutions and improve service delivery across the state.
He said the legislation, which cuts across key sectors of governance, healthcare, education, revenue generation, public procurement, tourism and justice administration, would close existing policy gaps and ensure continuity of programmes designed to improve the welfare of the people.
“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,” Governor Eno stated.
Among the newly enacted laws are those establishing the Akwa Ibom State Geographical Information Service (AKWA-GIS) to modernise land administration and streamline land verification, acquisition and transfer processes; the Senior Citizens Centre to institutionalise welfare programmes for the elderly; the Hotels and Tourism Development Commission to regulate standards and drive tourism development; and the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation to strengthen public broadcasting and position the station for commercial operations.
The Governor also signed into law bills establishing the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency, the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency, the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, the Fiscal Responsibility Board, the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, the Office of the Public Defender, the Water Users Association and the University of Education, Afaha Nsit.
Governor Eno further assented to amendments to the Hospitals Management Board Law, which decentralise hospital administration through the creation of zonal management boards and provide for district hospitals to enhance efficiency in healthcare delivery.
As part of ongoing health sector reforms, the Governor disclosed plans to redeploy medical doctors currently serving in administrative positions back to clinical practice, noting that prolonged absence from medical duties could negatively affect healthcare delivery and patient safety.
He explained that the establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency would strengthen transparency and accountability in government spending, stressing that strict adherence to procurement regulations had been instrumental to the success of his administration.
Speaking on the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, Governor Eno clarified that the law was intended to regulate operators, protect residents from fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with established regulations.
“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 transmitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to strengthen environmental enforcement. He explained that the proposed legislation would empower government to clean neglected premises, recover the cost from property owners and seal affected premises where necessary.
He noted that Akwa Ibom had long enjoyed a reputation for environmental cleanliness and expressed confidence that stronger legislation would preserve that standard while supporting the work of the Ministry of Environment and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency.
Governor Eno further revealed that additional health sector reform bills would soon be forwarded to the Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to reposition healthcare delivery in the state.
He commended the 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 the cordial working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Earlier, Speaker Udeme Otong described the package of legislation as one of the most significant achievements of the 8th Assembly, noting that never before had the House considered and passed such a large number of executive bills within a short period.
He said the laws are people-oriented and would positively impact governance, healthcare, economic development and public service delivery across the state.
The Speaker particularly described the amendment to the Hospitals Management Board Law as a landmark reform that would improve healthcare administration through the establishment of zonal hospital management boards.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the executive by giving prompt legislative consideration to bills that promote the development of Akwa Ibom State.
The signing of the 14 executive bills represents one of the most comprehensive institutional reform packages undertaken by the Umo Eno administration and is expected to strengthen public institutions, enhance transparency, improve service delivery and accelerate socio-economic development across Akwa Ibom State.
