Follow Us on Google
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has signed four strategic bills on education, open defecation, and health into law.
The bills comprise the Cross River State Hospital Management Board Law, 2026, which creates a central body to oversee public secondary health facilities and introduces management committees for general hospitals.
The law also provides for the regulation and registration of traditional medical practitioners, bringing them under the supervision of the Ministry of Health to ensure improved service delivery.
In addition, Gov. Otu also signed the Open Defecation (Prohibition) Law, 2026. The bill is aimed at reducing waterborne diseases and improving public hygiene.
The law mandates the provision of toilet facilities in homes, business premises, and public places, with provisions for gender sensitivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The Open Defecation Law, 2026, also establishes a State Task Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to ensure compliance and enforcement.
In addition, the governor also approved the Cross River State Senior Secondary Education Board Law, 2026. This law creates a dedicated board to manage state-owned senior secondary schools.
Other News
The new structure introduces clearer administrative guidelines and positions the state to benefit from federal education intervention funds, thereby strengthening the delivery of quality education.
Another major highlight in the new legal framework is the establishment of the Cross River State College of Health Sciences, Management and Technology.
This replaces the former College of Health Technology and upgrades it to a polytechnic with a broader academic mandate. The move is expected to boost training capacity in health and related fields while also unlocking access to funding opportunities and aligning the institution with national standards.
Governor Otu described the development as a critical milestone in his administration’s reform agenda, adding that the laws were carefully designed to respond to the immediate needs of the people, with particular emphasis on strengthening the health system.
“These laws are part of a broader strategy to tackle socio-economic challenges, including rural-urban migration, food security, and environmental sustainability.
“Anything about health is not a joke. These bills will help our people because they ensure we have the right resources and options available to us,” the governor said.
The governor also praised the Cross River State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Elvert Ayambem, for its thorough legislative work and constructive debates, noting that the synergy between both arms of government has continued to yield people-oriented policies.
