Gov Otu signs Local Government Amendment Bill 2025 in Cross River

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has signed the Local Government Amendment Bill 2025 into law.

The new bill signed on Monday, is designed to bring about significant changes to local government operations, promote faster economic development, encourage wider participation, and improve services at the local level.

Key changes to the original law include an increase in the number of departments from seven to twelve (section 4(4)), and adjustments to the percentage of funds that Local Government Councils will send to key government agencies to improve efficiency (section 5(2)).

Another important amendment (section 20(1)) gives the Vice Chairmen of the Councils responsibility for areas such as humanitarian affairs, peace and conflict resolution, border and boundary issues, as well as sports. Section 21 ensures that all appointments to the Executive Councils are made to reflect the Federal Character principle.

Additional changes include strengthening the roles of the Council Secretary and the Clerk of the Legislative Council by providing them with more staff (sections 22(3) and 22(6)), and the introduction of statutory appointments for up to 50 people, including Ward Relations Officers who will now have the status of Special Assistants in each Council Ward (sections 22(a) and 22(b)).

Other amendments include section 33(3), which outlines the appointment of leaders, such as the Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, and section 45(A, B, and C), which sets out the establishment of the Office of HOLGAs, the criteria for appointments, and conditions for ending those appointments.