By Lawrence Mpama
Cross River State House of Assembly is in celebration mood over it re-admission into the Commonwealth parliamentary Association (CPA) due to indebtedness, but which has been cleared by this administration. Also, the House of Assembly has passed 30 bills and 83 resolutions in two years under review.
This was disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, during a special session to mark the end of the second legislative year of the 10th Assembly of the state. The session which has in attendance families and friends of the legislators, also had former members of the House.
Mr Speaker thanked his colleagues for their cooperation, and the Governor of the state, Senator Prince Bassey Otu for synergizing with the house in his prompt assent of bills sent to him. He stated further that they have succeeded in the number of bills they had passed because of unity of purpose and commitment exhibited by all members.
According to him, some of the bills the House has passed include: Cross River Security Trust Fund Bill, 2024; Cross River Forestry Research Institute Establishment Bill, 2024; Cross River Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
“Others are Cross River Senior Citizens Centre Bill, 2025; Cross River Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law 2025
14th April, 2025; Cross River State Local Government (Amendment) Law 2025, among others,”
Ayambem explained that, they have also carried out various confirmations, oversight, through their various standing committees and capital projects.
He added that few years ago their branch was delisted from the CommonWealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) due to their indebtedness, but that the legislative house have been reinstated as they had gradually started to defray their debt.
Similarly, responding on behalf of former members, Mr Okon Ephraim, a former Member who represented Calabar South State Constituency said the 10th Assembly in the state had surpassed the achievement of the last three assemblies in the state.
While commending the House for its relationship with the executive, he urged members who have come to the house with boxing gloves to fight with the executive to sheath their swords.
Also, Rt Hon Ogana Lokpata, former Member who represented Yala 1 State Constituency, praised the house while urging all members to participate fully in the activities of the House, noting that it was the only way they could improve in their legislative functions.
