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By Reuben Nwankwo
Sen Chukwuka Utazi, Sponsor of Health Emergency bill 2020
Following the challenges possed by the outbreak of Corona Virus disease (Covid 19) in Nigeria health system, a bill seeking to take care of health emergency in Nigeria titled, “National Health Emergency Bill, 2020”, has been introduced in the Senate.
The bill sponsored by a second term senator, Chukwuka Utazi of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP representing Enugu North, was read for the first time on Tuesday at the start of plenary.
Further deliberations on the provisions of the bill are expected to take place on the next plenary session of the red chamber.
Sen Ahmad Lawan, the President of the senate has directed that copies of the bill be made available to every senator before the next discussion on the legislation to enable members understand and make meaningfully inputs to it.
Sen Ike Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu) had earlier in the discussion of the bill complained that they are yet to get copies of the bill prompting Sen Lawaan’s comment.
Sen Utazi’s legislation is coming a week after the House of Representatives introduced and deliberated the controversial Control of Infectious Disease Bill.
The outrage generated by the bill among Nigerians and House menbers was essentially on the provisions of the bill and the speedy consideration and passage.
