By Onwa Ekor
Determined to improve food security in the State, the Cross River House of Assembly, has passed the Irrigations and Dams Authority Bill 2025 into law.
The bill geared towards the conceptualizing, designing, procuring, managing and regulating irrigation, dams and reservoirs is aimed at ensuring optimal performance and efficient use of water resources in the State.
The passage of the bill follows the deliberation of the House on the report of its Joint Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources/Forestry and Water Resources/Sanitation, earlier mandated to carry out an indepth study of the bill after its first and second readings.
Presenting the report on behalf of the Joint Committee, Member representing Boki 1 State Constituency, Hon Bette Obi who also chairs the House Committee on Agricultural, Natural Resources and Forestry explained that the State stands to benefit greatly from the bill.
“Aside from maximizing food production through mechanised farming, it will boost food security, create job opportunities and foster research into addressing the multifaceted challenges of farm management and practice,” Obi said.
He expressed hope that the bill, when passed into Law, will reshape the ideology of the State, as well as build capacity for increased food production.
His words: “The bill has set the tempo for a new perspective on agricultural production in Cross River. It is our firm believe that in a few years to come, the State will showcase itself as a model for food production and this Honourable House will be remembered for the role it played towards sustainable agricultural development.”
While making their contributions to the bill, the Lawmakers unanimously supported the passage of the bill which they agreed was not only timely but also of great importance to the State.
Earlier, a Public Hearing was held at the Assembly’s Complex where stakeholders including the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Mr Johnson Ebokpo among others, expressed support for the bill and also commended the sponsors, co-sponsors, Joint Committee members and the entire House for the bill, describing it as a laudable initiative.
The bill, made up of seventeen (17) sections and one schedule was sponsored by the Member representing Yala1 State Constituency, Hon. Odey Brian Wonah.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem applauded the Joint Committee for working hard to complete the legislative procedures necessary for the passage of the bill.
He restated his confidence that the State governor, Prince Bassey Otu, will continue to assent to bills passed by the Assembly to ensure that the people of the State continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
