Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Monday presided over a joint session of the Executive and Legislature during an expanded State Executive Council meeting, where he signed 18 Executive Bills into law in a single sitting.
The signing, which took place at the Governor’s country home in Nvosi, marked a significant highlight of activities commemorating his second year in office.
It brought together members of the State Executive Council and leadership of the Abia State House of Assembly in what Governor Otti described as “another layer of our holistic government philosophy.”
The newly enacted laws span key sectors including urban renewal, electricity regulation, procurement reforms, social welfare, rural infrastructure, and institutional restructuring.
Addressing the joint session, Governor Otti emphasised the strategic importance of visionary legislation in driving sustainable development and positioning Abia State for inclusive growth.
“Our plans are clear, and the targets are well-defined. We came to power determined to rebuild our state and set in motion a chain of processes that will radically transform not just the socio-economic experiences of anyone living or doing business here, but ultimately position Africa as an attractive destination for global talents and capital,” he said.
The Governor commended the legislature for its partnership and alignment with the administration’s development agenda, singling out the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, for what he described as “focused leadership and commitment to the new Abia project.”
“The views you have borne and passed since your inauguration in June 2023 are not only strong but purposefully reposition the state to take advantage of the changing regional and national economic environment,” Otti added.
Highlighting the strategic relevance of the newly signed laws, the Governor cited the Abia State Electricity Law 2025, the establishment of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), and major reforms in public procurement as tools that would fast-track infrastructure development and attract investments.
“These legislations are not just institutional tools; they are development accelerators,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, described the development as “a major feat,” noting that all 30 executive bills presented by the Otti administration to the House of Assembly have now been passed and signed into law.
“That is unprecedented,” Uwanna said. “Each law is a building block for a future-ready Abia, rooted in our transition council report and the Governor’s manifesto. It reflects a leadership philosophy anchored on vision, integrity, and legal transformation.”
Among the 18 laws signed were:
1. Abia State Electricity Law – Enables the state’s participation in the national electricity market and creates a regulatory framework to attract private sector investment in power generation and distribution.
2. Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) Law – Establishes a dedicated agency to drive urban renewal, infrastructure development, and economic clustering in Aba.
3. Public Procurement Law – Overhauls public procurement processes to ensure transparency, oversight, and value-for-money in state contracting.
4. Amnesty Bond Law – Authorises the issuance of innovative financial instruments, such as bonds, to improve fiscal sustainability.
5. Pension Reform Law – Centralises and reforms the state pension system for transparency and accountability, protecting the rights of retirees.
6. Elderly Persons Welfare Law – Provides statutory support for citizens aged 70 and above, including healthcare and social services.
7. Rural Access Roads and Reform Law – Creates a framework for sustainable funding and professional management of rural road infrastructure.
8. Modernised Tenancy Law – Updates the outdated 1976 tenancy law, balancing the rights of landlords and tenants in line with present-day realities.
9. Tax Consolidation and Fiscal Framework Amendment Law – Simplifies tax administration, improves the business environment, and aligns state policy with national fiscal strategies.
10. Local Government Governance Law – Provides a clear framework for administrative efficiency and governance at the local government level.
11. Local Government-State Interface Law – Regulates inter-governmental relations to ensure constitutional compliance and seamless administration.
12. Public Complaints and Citizens’ Rights Law – Establishes a robust ombudsman framework to enhance accountability in public service delivery.
Barr. Uwanna also highlighted the repeal of the controversial law that provided pensions and privileges for former governors and their deputies, calling it “a bold step toward fiscal discipline and ethical governance.”
“It is actually self-interest that destroys governance,” he said, echoing the Governor’s earlier emphasis on selfless public service.
He further noted that the Amnesty Bond Law would position the state to explore innovative financing models such as green bonds, enhancing fiscal flexibility.
“The structure ensures policy intentions are translated into impactful statutes that guide sustained state development,” Uwanna added.
In his closing remarks, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transformative governance.
“This is another defining moment. The excellent leadership of the new government will not just endure—it will bear even greater fruits in the years ahead,” he said.