Governor Otu Signs Four Laws to Transform Health Education and Sanitation

Governor Bassey Otu has signed into law four major reform bills aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, improving education standards and enhancing environmental sanitation across Cross River State.

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

The newly enacted laws are expected to boost service delivery in critical sectors while laying a solid foundation for sustainable development throughout the state.

The legislations include the College of Health Sciences, Management and Technology Law, the Cross River State Hospital Management Board Law, the Open Defecation Prohibition Law and the Senior Secondary Education Board Law.

Government officials, speaking on Thursday, described the move as part of deliberate efforts by the administration to deepen governance reforms and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

In the education sector, the government approved the transformation of a former health institution into a full-fledged College of Health Sciences, Management and Technology. The upgrade is designed to broaden academic offerings and create more opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills in health, management and technology-related fields.

Additionally, the establishment of the Senior Secondary Education Board is expected to strengthen oversight of secondary schools, improve coordination and drive higher academic performance among students across the state.

Within the health sector, the new Hospital Management Board Law introduces a more structured administrative framework for public hospitals. A central governing board will provide supervision for general hospitals, while dedicated management teams will be responsible for daily operations at individual facilities.

This structure is intended to improve efficiency, minimize administrative delays and ensure better healthcare services for citizens.

In the area of environmental sanitation, the Open Defecation Prohibition Law requires the provision of proper sanitation facilities in residential buildings, commercial spaces and public areas.

The law is aimed at ending open defecation, reducing the spread of sanitation-related diseases and fostering a cleaner and healthier environment, especially in rural communities across the state.