Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has signed three key bills into law to strengthen the State’s social protection system, regulate healthcare practice, and provide greater fiscal flexibility to respond to economic realities.
The laws signed on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office, Calabar, are the Cross River State Social Investment and Protection Law, the Health Quackery (Prohibition) Law, and the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Law.
Speaking after the assent, Governor Otu said the new laws would provide stronger institutional frameworks for improving the welfare of vulnerable residents, protecting citizens from unqualified healthcare practitioners, and ensuring that government resources remain responsive to current needs.
The Governor also expressed satisfaction with the commitment of officials in his administration despite what he described as negative narratives on social media.
“Sometimes, when you go on social media, you see all manner of narratives,” Otu said. “But what we are seeing here today is a clear demonstration that there are people who are working and committed to the progress of Cross River State.”
He stressed that government must remain dynamic and review its policies to meet changing realities.
“We cannot continue to do things exactly the same way when circumstances have changed,” he said. “Government must be dynamic enough to adjust, review and reposition its policies and programmes to meet the realities of the time. We have to ensure a balance between our development aspirations and the economic realities that confront us.”
The Cross River State Social Investment and Protection Law provides the legal and institutional framework for establishing and managing social investment programmes to improve the living conditions of poor and vulnerable residents.
The law establishes the Cross River State Social Investment and Protection Agency, with provisions for its governing board, staff and funding.
“Our responsibility as a government is to ensure that nobody is left behind,” Otu said. “This law gives us a stronger institutional framework to reach the poor, the vulnerable and those who genuinely require social protection and empowerment.”
The Health Quackery (Prohibition) Law seeks to eliminate unlicensed medical practice and strengthen the monitoring and regulation of healthcare facilities and practitioners across the State.
The law establishes a Health Monitoring Task Force and provides for the registration and monitoring of practitioners, while strengthening collaboration with law enforcement agencies to curb quackery.
“We cannot compromise the health and safety of our people,” the Governor said. “Anyone who holds himself or herself out as a healthcare professional must be properly qualified, registered and competent.”
On the 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Law, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the bill was presented by Governor Otu on July 21, 2026 to amend the 2026 Appropriation Law and cater for matters not contemplated when the principal budget was passed.
According to Ayambem, the supplementary appropriation increased the state’s 2026 budget from ₦961,624,047,275.08 to ₦963,074,438,018.60.
“This supplementary appropriation is designed to address developments and needs that were not envisaged at the time the principal appropriation law was enacted,” the Speaker explained.
He added that the law would enable government to move funds from dormant votes to areas of greater need, and to accommodate new revenue from increased Federation Allocation.
“Where funds are lying dormant and there are critical areas requiring intervention, government must have the flexibility to make the necessary adjustments,” Ayambem said.
The Speaker commended Governor Otu for the constructive working relationship between the executive and legislature, adding that the House remains committed to providing the legal support needed for the development of the State.
Dani Bebia
