Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly(AKHA) has passed into law a bill to provide for the preservation, protection and restoration of historical properties and cultural heritage sites in the state into law.
This follows the report presented by the Chairmann House Committee on Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Hon. Kufre Edidem, member representing Itu State Constituency.
In his presentation, Hon. Edidem stated that several meetings were held with stakeholders as well as inputs through public hearing which helped the Committee to reach the recommendations tabled before the House.
In their recommendations, the Committee said the law will assist in preserving and maintaining tourism and historical sites and their facilities in the state, enhance the economic growth of Akwa Ibom and create employment for the people of the state.
The law, according to the Committee’s report, will also create demand for many more industries, give Akwa Ibom people a sense of pride, hope and identity, while uniting the people as well as ensuring that all tourism sites in the state are properly managed and maintained.
The House after considering the report at the Committee of the Whole, passed the bill into law, with February 23rd, 2021, as its commencement date.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, instructed the Clerk of House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, to communicate the law to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
