Otu Signs Landmark Laws to Boost Health, Sanitation, and Education in Cross River

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has signed into law four key bills targeting reforms in education, public health, and sanitation. Among the newly enacted laws is the Cross River State Hospital Management Board Law, 2026, which establishes a central authority to oversee public secondary healthcare facilities across the state. The legislation also introduces management committees for general hospitals and provides for the regulation and registration of traditional medical practitioners under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, aimed at improving service delivery. Governor Otu also assented to the Open Defecation (Prohibition) Law, 2026, a measure designed to curb waterborne diseases and enhance public hygiene. The law mandates the provision of toilet facilities in homes, business premises, and public spaces, with special considerations for gender sensitivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities. It further creates a State Task Group on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) to ensure effective enforcement and compliance. In the education sector, the governor approved the Cross River State Senior Secondary Education Board Law, 2026, which establishes a dedicated board to manage state-owned senior secondary schools. The new structure is expected to improve administrative efficiency and position the state to access federal education intervention funds, ultimately strengthening the quality of education delivery. Another significant development is the establishment of the Cross River State College of Health Sciences, Management and Technology. The institution replaces the former College of Health Technology and is upgraded to a polytechnic with an expanded academic scope. This transition is expected to boost training capacity in health-related fields, align the institution with national standards, and unlock additional funding opportunities. Describing the new laws as a major milestone, Governor Otu said they form part of a broader reform agenda focused on addressing socio-economic challenges, including rural-urban migration, food security, and environmental sustainability. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the health sector, noting that the new legal framework would ensure better access to essential services and resources. The governor also commended the Cross River State House of Assembly, led by Elvert Ayambem, for its diligence and constructive legislative process, adding that the continued collaboration between the executive and legislative arms has been instrumental in delivering people-oriented policies.