By Julius Nsikak
In one sitting, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA), touched five critical pillars of governance, from how public money is managed and contracts are awarded to how emergency patients are treated, how the state communicates with its citizens and how gaming activities are regulated.
The sweeping legislative exercise Tuesday culminated in the passage of five reform Bills, marking one of the Assembly’s most extensive packages of institutional reforms in a single plenary.
The Bills seek to establish the Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Board, the Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency, the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, the Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency.
Collectively, they are designed to strengthen fiscal discipline, improve emergency healthcare delivery, enhance public broadcasting, regulate gaming activities, and promote transparency, accountability and value for money in government procurement.
Presenting the various committee reports, chairmen of the relevant House committees said the proposed legislation would reinforce prudent financial management, improve emergency response systems, strengthen public information dissemination, provide an effective legal framework for gaming regulation, and institutionalise best practices in the award and execution of public contracts.
The Bills were considered after committee scrutiny, adoption of reports and detailed clause-by-clause examination by the Committee of the Whole, where lawmakers approved necessary amendments before returning them to the House.
The House Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, subsequently moved separate motions for the Bills to be read a third time and passed.
The motions, seconded by the Deputy House Leader, Hon. Nsidibe Akata, received unanimous support, after which the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, put the question and the House approved the Bills.
Following their passage, the Speaker, Elder Otong directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikakabasi Orok, to transmit the Bills to Governor Pastor Umo Eno for assent in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The House thereafter adjourned plenary until Tuesday, 7th July 2026.
