“Health Revolution in Cross River: Otu Enacts Four Groundbreaking Reform Laws”
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has stated that four new statutes he endorsed will considerably bolster the state’s healthcare system.
The governor characterized this development as a vital achievement in his administration’s reform agenda, focused on revitalizing key sectors and enhancing the overall standard of living.
While addressing the signing event on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Calabar, Otu expressed that the statutes were formulated to meet the urgent needs of the populace.
“Anything related to health is serious. These legislations will benefit our citizens by guaranteeing we have the appropriate resources and choices accessible,” he remarked.
He praised the State House of Assembly, spearheaded by Speaker Elvert Ayambem, for what he referred to as diligent legislative efforts and constructive discussions that led to the creation of the statutes.
Otu emphasized that ongoing collaboration between the executive and legislative branches has continually produced citizen-focused policies, voicing confidence that the effects of the new laws would soon become apparent.
A significant highlight is the creation of the Cross River State College of Health Sciences, Management, and Technology, which takes the place of the former College of Health Technology and elevates it to a polytechnic with an expanded academic focus.
The governor also approved the Cross River State Hospital Management Board Law, 2026, which institutes a central organization to supervise secondary healthcare facilities and introduces management committees for general hospitals, alongside the regulation of traditional healthcare practitioners.
To address hygiene issues, Otu ratified the Open Defecation (Prohibition) Law, 2026, mandating the installation of toilet facilities in residences, businesses, and public locations, and establishing a State Task Group on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for enforcement.
He additionally sanctioned the Cross River State Senior Secondary Education Board Law, 2026, which establishes a dedicated entity to oversee state-owned senior secondary institutions and improve access to federal educational intervention funding.
The governor asserted that the statutes are part of a wider strategy to confront socio-economic issues, including rural-urban migration, food security, and environmental sustainability.
He reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing internal capacity and minimizing reliance on external assistance, expressing certainty that the statutes would promote development and fortify the state’s resilience.
