By Jimmy Jackson
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed into Law the Local Government Amendment Bill 2025.
The bill was passed following deliberations on the report presented by the Joint Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution, as well as Public Accounts.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon Eyo Bassey, representing Bakassi, explained that the State Local Government Law of 2007, which was first amended in 2008 and further amended in 2011, had been harmonized and repealed for clarity.
Hon Bassey maintained that the bill will facilitate positive changes to the third tier of government adding that it will enhance economic development and growth, encourage broader and greater participation, as well as enhance effective service delivery at the Local Government level.
Before the passage of the bill, the House had desolved into the Commitee of the Whole where Members deliberated extensively on the report to ensure that it will meet critical contemporary issues and requirements of rural dwellers in line with current realities. Members expressed satisfaction with the amendments made stressing that it will benefit citizens at the grassroots level.
The Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, commended the Joint Committee members and all lawmakers for their hard work and dedication which has resulted to the bill’s speedy passage.
