Cross River State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law the Local Government Amendment Bill 2025.
After deliberations on the report of its joint committee on local government, the lawmakers passed the bill on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution as well as Public Accounts.
In his reemarks, the chairman, Joint Committee, member representing Bakassi state constituency, Eyo Bassey, said the state local government law 2007 was first amended in 2008 and subsequently amended in 2011.
He stressed that for the purpose of clarity previous amendments had been harmonised and repealed.
The lawmaker stated that the bill would help in facilitating positive changes to the third tier of government stressing that it will enhance economic development and growth.
Apart from that, the lawmakers averred that the bill will encourage broader and greater participation as well as enhance effective and efficient service delivery at the local government level.
Chairman of the Committee told the house that the bill will make Heads of Local Government Administration(HOLGAs) enjoy the status of Permanent Secretaries just like their counterparts in the State Civil Service as a reward for hard work while also making financial provisions for the Auditor-General for local government to enable him execute his responsibilities efficiently.
Some major sections of of the Principal Law amended include; section 4(4)increment of departments from 7 to 12, section 5(2) readjustment of percentages of funds expected from the local government councils to key MDAs to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, section 20(1) entrusting the responsibilities of humanitarian affairs, peace and conflict resolution, border and boundary issues as well as Sports to the Vice Chairmen of Councils and section 21 which specifies that all appointments into Executive Councils must reflect Federal Character.
Other sections amended are; 22(3) and (6) which strengthened the offices of the Secretary of Council and the Clerk of the Legislative Council with additional staff, section 22(a) and 22(b) which provides for statutory appointments of not more than 50 persons as well as the appointment of Ward Relations Officers with the status of Special Assistants for each Council Ward.
Also amended are sections 33(3) stipulating the appointments approved for the Leaders (Including a Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary) and Deputy Leaders of Councils as well as sections 45(A, B and C) on the establishment of office of HOLGAs, criteria for appointments and cessation of office.
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.
In his remarks, the speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem expressed appreciation to the members of the Joint Committee for their hard work that resulted in the speedy passage of the bill.
