The House of Representatives is on the verge of endorsing the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kwale, Delta State.
The Bill aimed at achieving the goal scaled yesterday during the second reading stage on the floor of the House of Representatives.
This was as the House adopted the motion to address the collapsed 300 meters link bridge between Asaba-ase and Uzere communities in Ndokwa East and Isoko South LGAs of Delta State.
READ ALSO: Go After Vandals Of Critical Infrastructure – NSCDC Commandant Tells Officers
The Green Chamber also received a petition against the Nigerian Police Force on the unlawful withholding of salary, false accusation and dismissal of a constituent, Inspector Fidelis Uti from Ulogwe-Isumpe, Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa West, LGA.
Mr Nnamdi Ezechi, representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in a lead debate, underscored the paramount importance of establishing this healthcare facility in Kwale, not only for the welfare of his constituents but for the greater good of the entire nation.
Recounting the hardships faced by the residents of Ndokwa/Ukwuani and neighbouring areas, who must embark on long and arduous journeys to access specialized medical services, he contended that the establishment of the medical facility will result in quicker access to care for the residents, alleviating their current travel burdens.
He added that the establishment of the medical facility would reduce the burden on the existing Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, which is currently shouldering the healthcare needs of a much broader region.
Pointing out that Ndokwa/Ukwuani had been devoid of any substantial federal government presence, except for the Nigerian Correctional Facility, he argued that the facility would be a significant stride towards achieving universal healthcare coverage and better public health outcomes for all.
The Speaker of the House, Dr Tajudeen Abass thereby refered the Bill to the House committee on health services for further legislative scrutiny.
Ezechi also brought forth an issue of immediate public concern, shedding light on the pressing necessity to undertake the reconstruction of the collapsed 300-meter link bridge connecting the Asaba-ase and Uzere communities in Ndokwa East and Isoko South local government areas of Delta State.
He said this call for action was driven by the urgent need to provide relief and facilitate the rehabilitation for the affected communities.
He said the bridge collapse let to the loss of lives and the house observed a minute silence in honour of the diseased and subsequently referred the matter to the House Committees on Niger Delta Development Commission, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Emergency and disaster Management.
Furthermore, during the same plenary session, Honorable Ezechi also presented a petition concerning a grave injustice faced by one of his constituents, Inspector Fidelis Uti from Ulogwe-Isumpe, Utagba-uno, in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State.
“The petition highlighted false accusations, unlawful dismissal, and the unjust withholding of Inspector Fidelis Uti’s salary for an extended period, spanning from 2013 to 2018. This distressing matter underscores the need for a comprehensive review and redress.
The House acknowledged the gravity of this issue, and the petition was duly accepted and referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for a thorough examination and resolution.