By Onwa Ekor
In a bid to reposition the state for inclusive growth, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has signed nine bills into law.
He also received an overwhelming endorsement from the State House of Assembly, for his outstanding midterm performance.
The legislators led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, used the opportunity of the audience with the governor to formally pass an endorsement motion supporting him for a second term in office, come 2027.
The nine bills signed into law by the governor span critical sectors including water, health, security, infrastructure, and environmental research, reflecting the administration’s push to modernize state governance while addressing pressing developmental needs.
The new laws are; The Cross River Water Supply and Sanitation Law No. 5, 2025, which guarantees citizens’ access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services,
the Cross River Fire Fighting and Rescue Service Law No. 4, 2024, which enhances emergency response operations and contributes to the state’s internally generated revenue.
Others are, the Cross River Security Trust Fund (Amendment) Law No. 6, 2024, which empowers the governor to appoint a qualified person as chairman to lead the Fund, ensuring better focus on the state’s security challenges, the Cross River Scraps Regulatory Agency (Amendment) Law No. 9, 2025, which aims to curb the activities of scavengers and vandals targeting public and private property.
Also in the list are, the Cross River Rural Access Road Authority Law No. 8, 2025, which seeks to prevent the neglect of vital rural routes, particularly those linking farming communities, the Cross River Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (Amendment) Law No. 4, 2024, which clarifies key functions and addresses revenue-related overlaps, particularly in motor vehicle licensing, the Cross River Records and Archives Bureau Law No. 7, 2024, which establishes an agency to manage and archive critical state documents.
The Cross River Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency Law No. 10, 2025, which strengthens the supply of medical essentials to both public and private healthcare facilities while encouraging public-private partnerships, as well as the Cross River Forestry Research Institute (Establishment) Law No. 6, 2024, which creates an institution dedicated to forestry and environmental research, supporting both academic enhancement and sustainable resource management.
At the signing ceremony, Otu commended the legislature for its dedication and responsiveness over the past two years.
His words: “We assumed office in a tough economic climate marked by inflation and limited access to funds, yet we have managed to stay focused. These laws will directly improve governance and service delivery.
“We have ordered three new fire trucks, unlocked ₦4.5 billion for rural roads, and restructured the security trust fund for better oversight, each of these laws pushes Cross River forward,” he said.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, praised the governor’s performance and confirmed the Assembly’s endorsement of his second-term bid.
“Your leadership has been exemplary. In just two years, the 10th Assembly has passed 30 bills and 87 resolutions, with more than half implemented.
“The 9th Assembly couldn’t match that. We are proud of what we have achieved together and fully endorse your re-election,” Ayambem said.
The endorsement motion was moved by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sylvester Agabi, and supported by the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Davis Ettah, symbolizing a formidable partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government.
