… Cross River Assembly Marks Legislative Milestones
Calabar–The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has highlighted the legislative accomplishments of the 10th Assembly as it concludes its second legislative year, citing the passage of over 30 bills, 83 resolutions, and multiple capital and oversight initiatives.
Speaking during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex in Calabar on Thursday, Ayambem reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of making laws for peace, order, and good governance of the state.
“I make bold to say that we have lived up to our constitutional responsibility by making laws for the peace, order, and good governance of our dear state,” he said.
According to the Speaker, the House successfully passed 30 bills in the legislative year under review—many of which have received prompt assent from the Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu. These include the Cross River State Security Trust Fund Bill, Climate Change Bill, Presumptive Tax Law, Diaspora Commission Bill, Firefighting and Rescue Service Law, and the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024, among others.
Several other bills are currently at various stages of legislative consideration, including the Cross River State Electricity Bill, 2025, Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Bill, and the Audit Service Commission Bill.
The House also adopted 83 resolutions, many arising from motions and matters of urgent public importance. Ayambem noted that the Executive has complied with a majority of these resolutions, a development he attributed to the synergy between the legislative and executive arms of government.
“It is commendable that His Excellency, the Governor, places premium on most of our resolutions, which are always implemented,” the Speaker said.
Capital Projects and Oversight
In terms of infrastructure, the Assembly completed major renovations across its complex, including the administrative block, committee block, speaker and deputy speaker’s lodges, and installation of new audio control equipment in the chamber. The Assembly also completed the reconstruction of the parliamentary quarters’ entrance gate.
On oversight, Ayambem reported that the House’s standing and special committees conducted quarterly monitoring of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), helping to curb misuse of public funds and ensuring project execution aligned with budgetary provisions.
Staff Welfare and Institutional Growth
Speaker Ayambem acknowledged the legislative staff for their dedication and pledged to push for the implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS), citing its adoption in other South-South states.
He also announced the recruitment of 100 new staff, following the governor’s approval, to address manpower shortages. Training and capacity-building efforts were intensified, including workshops in Lagos, Abuja, and e-governance training in partnership with the Korean Government and University of Calabar.
Importantly, he revealed that the Assembly has been reinstated into the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) after years of delisting due to outstanding dues.
“This reinstatement will allow us to participate in CPA conferences and deepen our legislative knowledge by sharing experiences with other Commonwealth countries,” Ayambem noted.
Looking Ahead
The Speaker assured that in the coming legislative year, the House will focus more on effective lawmaking, rigorous oversight, and constituent-centered monitoring in line with the state’s “People First” governance mantra.
“The welfare of Honourable Members and staff will continue to be a top priority. I solicit the continued cooperation of all Honourable Members and staff to sustain a viable House that is counted among the comity of states where order and peace are binding,” Ayambem concluded.
