The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called on all Local Government Councils in the state to immediately establish and inaugurate Child Rights Implementation Committees in line with Section 265 of the Child Rights Law, Cap 27, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022.
The call followed a motion on notice sponsored by the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, during Wednesday’s plenary at the Assembly Complex, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
The motion highlighted the need to strengthen child protection mechanisms at the grassroots level to safeguard the rights, welfare, dignity, education, health and development of children across the state.
Leading the debate, the sponsor noted that the Child Rights Law provides a comprehensive legal framework for protecting children but was concerned that many local government councils were yet to establish functional Child Rights Implementation Committees as required by law.
He observed that the absence of the committees had weakened the implementation of child protection measures at the grassroots, potentially contributing to inadequate responses to child abuse, child labour, trafficking, neglect, child marriage, exploitation, school dropouts and other violations of children’s rights.
Akpabio, further explained that the committees would serve as institutional mechanisms for coordinating child protection initiatives, monitoring violations of children’s rights, promoting public awareness and ensuring compliance with national and international child protection standards.
He emphasised that effective implementation of the law required collaboration among local government authorities, traditional institutions, schools, health officials, civil society organisations, parents and community leaders.
The motion, which was seconded by the member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Emem Udom, called on the Ministry responsible for Women Affairs and Social Welfare to provide technical guidance, capacity building and periodic supervision to ensure effective functioning of the committees.
The House also urged all local government councils to make adequate budgetary provisions for the committees’ activities to facilitate the implementation of child protection programmes.
Accordingly, the motion called on the relevant House committee to monitor compliance with the resolution and periodically report to the Assembly on the level of implementation across the 31 local government areas of the state.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Elder Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikakabasi Orok, to communicate the resolution of the Assembly to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
In a related development, A bill for the amendment of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2026 has passed second reading on the floor of the Assembly and was committed to the House Committee on Inter- Governmental and Political matters for further legislative action.
Motion for the second reading of the bill was moved by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide and seconded by his Nsit Atai counterpart, Hon. Aniefiok Attah.
MeanwhileThe, plenary has been adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday, 27th October 2026 at 12 noon.