At last, respite has come the way of the elderly in Cross River State as the House of Assembly passes the Cross River State Senior Citizens Centre Bill 2025 into Law.
The bill which seeks to cater for the needs of senior citizens in the state and for other related matters was first read at plenary on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, while its second reading was on Thursday, August 10, 2023, where it was committed to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution for further legislative action.
The bill was passed Thursday after the presentation of the report of the committee by its Chairman and Deputy Leader of the 10th Assembly, Rt Hon Davies Etta of Abi State Constituency.
Etta highlighted several advantages of the bill emphasising that it would bring respite to elderly people who can no longer take care of themselves.
“The bill seeks to establish a home for the elderly people who can no longer take care of themselves. It is true that most elderly people, both men and women are found roaming the streets because they have no home or cannot fend for themselves. Some are termed witches or wizards and forcefully ostracised from their homes.
“The intent of the bill is to ensure that a home known as Centre will be provided for the elderly to stay in order to give them comfort and access to both medical and recreational facilities,” he noted.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the passage of the bill, the lead Sponsor and member representing Yakurr II State Constituency, Hon. Mercy Mbang Akpama, expressed joy and fulfilment at the passage of the bill.
“I feel happy and fulfilled. The bill was presented before l came to the Assembly and when l came, l took it up. Just a day before yesterday, all the elderly, in the country celebrated themselves – sixty years and above.
“They took a victory dance, it was glorious. It’s a privilege to grow old. Older persons will be very happy. Those who have contributed to the country should not be used and dumped. They should be adequately taken care of.” Akpama said.
The Yakurr II Representative who is the only female lawmaker in the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly, also expressed gratitude to the Speaker, Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Judiciary Committee Chairman and members as well as her colleagues for their efforts in ensuring that the bill was passed into law.
She expressed confidence that Governor Otu would assent to the bill “because it is in line with his people oriented administration.”
Akpama reiterated that Cross River State Senior Citizens Centre Bill 2025 is a domestication of the Act of the National Assembly which was passed and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, to cater for the needs of senior citizens.
She added that the Centre is domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Welfare.
