Bakassi, Cross River State –In the quiet coastal expanse of Bakassi, where the Atlantic tide meets the hope of a people once displaced, a new legislative energy is reshaping the meaning of local governance. At the heart of it stands Rt. Hon. Grace Etim Bassey, the first-ever female Leader of the Bakassi Legislative Assembly, whose calm determination has guided the Council through a remarkably productive first year.
Declared by the then Clerk Mr. Oku Ekpenyong on November 11, 2024, the 7th Bakassi Legislative Assembly is closing its first legislative year with measurable milestones in lawmaking, oversight, and representation—marking a refreshing chapter in the story of grassroots democracy in Cross River state and Nigeria.
Two Byelaws, One Vision for Inclusion and Development
Within one legislative year, the Assembly has passed two byelaws into law and introduced another currently undergoing deliberation. Each law reflects a thoughtful response to the social and developmental needs of Bakassi’s people.
The Gender-Based Violence (Prevention, Prohibition and Response) Byelaw, 2025, sponsored by Hon. Prince Bassey Mkpeti (Ward 6), stands out as a landmark local legal instrument for protecting women, girls, and vulnerable persons. It was promptly assented to by the Executive Chairman of Bakassi LGA, Hon. Effiong Etim Okon, signaling executive-legislative harmony on matters of social justice.
The second, a Byelaw to Establish a Framework for the Administration of Scholarship and Bursary for Deserving and Indigent Students of Bakassi LGA, 2025, sponsored by Hon. Nkoyo Okon (Ward 9), aims to make education more accessible and equitable. The bill is awaiting executive assent but has already stirred optimism among young constituents who have long sought institutional support for their academic aspirations.
Meanwhile, deliberations continue on a proposed Byelaw for the Establishment of a Bakassi Vocational Institute, introduced by Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Bassey Esoho Ekpo of Ward 10. The proposed law seeks to equip youths and women with employable skills in a region where formal employment opportunities are limited.
Motions that Moved Bakassi Forward
Beyond legislation, the Assembly has demonstrated vitality through eight impactful motions, several of which have been implemented by the Executive Arm—a rare synergy in local governance.
On February 14, 2025, Hon. Miriam Okon (Ward 3) moved a motion to uphold the constitutional recognition of Bakassi Local Government Area, rejecting calls by a pressure group for its delisting from Nigeria’s 774 LGAs. The resolution reaffirmed Bakassi’s legal and political identity—a sensitive issue rooted in the community’s displacement history.
In May, the same councillor tabled a motion for improved sanitation across the LGA, which was promptly implemented by Chairman Effiong Okon’s administration, resulting in cleaner markets and waterfronts.
Hon. Kenneth Orok Edem’s motion on the renovation and equipping of the Bakassi Legislative Complex was also acted upon immediately, with the Council headquarters at Ikot Effiom now undergoing visible renovation.
Another crucial motion came from Hon. Ita Edet Nyoki (Ward 5), who called on the Cross River State Government to restore electricity to Bakassi after nearly eight years of blackout. That motion, too, met swift executive response, leading to partial restoration of power supply—a relief for many riverine communities once shrouded in darkness since 2015.
Hon. Ene Okon Edet made his mark with two people-centered motions: one for the downward review of exorbitant fees for processing Certificates of Origin—successfully reducing the cost by fifty percent (from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000)—and another for a legislative resolution against agitators promoting the delisting of Bakassi.
And in a gesture toward community safety, Hon. Ita Nyoki proposed a motion for awareness on compulsory life jacket use in Bakassi’s riverine communities—a reminder that governance also means protecting lives in everyday realities.
Leadership, Teamwork, and a Renewed Legislative Culture
For Rt. Hon. Grace Bassey, the achievements of the 7th Assembly reflect not just statistics but the spirit of teamwork and purpose that drives the councillors.
“We have shown that with focus and unity of purpose, a local government legislature can be both productive and people-centred,” she said. “Our commitment is to deepen the culture of accountability, inclusion, and partnership for development in Bakassi.”
Her leadership has been widely commended for fostering collaboration, gender inclusion, and institutional discipline within the Council—qualities that have helped maintain a functional legislature amid the typical challenges of local governance.
Observers say the synergy between the legislative and executive arms under Chairman Hon. Effiong Etim Okon has also been key. The prompt implementation of multiple motions demonstrates a shared vision of governance that prioritizes citizens’ welfare over politics.
A Model for Local Governance in Cross River and the Niger Delta region
As the Assembly enters its second legislative year, many across the Cross River South Senatorial District and the state at large see the 7th Bakassi Assembly as a model of grassroots democracy—one where legislative activity translates into tangible community outcomes.
From tackling gender-based violence to restoring public utilities and reforming local administrative costs, the Assembly has proven that local government institutions can drive meaningful change when anchored on accountability and inclusion.
In the words of one observer at the Council Secretariat, “Bakassi is showing that local governance can work when leaders legislate with heart and act with focus.”
As Bakassi’s tides continue to rise and recede, so does a renewed sense of purpose ripple through its governance structures. And at the center of this movement stands Rt. Hon. Grace Etim Bassey (Ward 7)—a leader steering her Assembly, and her people, toward a more responsive and equitable future.
