Hon Mercy Mbang Akpama, Lead Sponsor, CRS Senior Citizens Centre Bill 2025.
By Itam Offor
Respite has come the way of the aged in Cross River State as the State House of Assembly (CRHA) has passed the State’s 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 read the first time on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 and second time on Thursday August 10, 2023 before being referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution.
Presenting the report of the Commitee, it’s Chairman and Deputy Leader of the 10th Assembly, Rt Hon Davies Etta (Abi), highlighted several advantages of the bill emphasizing that it will 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 ostracized from their homes.
“The intent of the bill is to ensure that a home known as Center will be provided for the elderly to stay in order to give them comfort and access to both medical and recreational facilities.” Etta noted.
Speaking to journalists after the passage of the bill, the Lead Sponsor and Member representing Yakurr 2 Sttate 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 day before yesterday, all the elderly, in the country celebrated themselves. 60 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.
Akpama who is the only female Lawmaker in the 10th Assembly, expressed gratitude to the Speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, the Judiciary Commitee Chairman and Members as well as her colleagues for their efforts in ensuring that the bill was passed into Law.
She expressed confidence that the State Governor Senator Bassey Otu will assent to the bill because it is in line with his people oriented administration.
She 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 GCFR, to cater for the needs of senior citizens.
The Centre according to her, is domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Welfare.
