Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Thursday signed the Bulk Purchase Agency Bill as well as Assets Management and Maintenance Agency Bill into law.
This was contained in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh and made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo.
Both executive bills were passed recently by the state house of Assembly.
The statement said the state governor while speaking shortly after signing both bills into Law commended the leadership of the State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bills.
According to the statement the governor said: “Let me again, emphasize that this is an intervention exercise and not a permanent solution. The permanent solution is to return to the farm.
“That is why we will soon set up an Agric Committee that will support our people with seedlings so they can return to the farm. This committee will work tirelessly to ultimately make our staple food items available at drastically reduced price range.
“ The second bill seeks to create the State’s Assets Register, different and separate from Akwa Ibom State Road and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency, (AKROIMA) which as the name implies, is essentially for roads maintenance.
” We have to develop a strong maintenance culture. We can’t allow our assets to deteriorate.. This bill also seeks to create an occupational safety department, in line with what obtains elsewhere.”
The statement further noted that the signing of the Bills was followed by a presentation of the key element of the Bulk Purchase Agency, which is the food voucher by the SSA to the governor on ICT Matters, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.
“A massive publicity on the working of this process will be further enhanced in the coming weeks, the statement noted.