By Jonathan Lois
A Bill to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act and establish the Federal Medical Centre, Kwale, Delta State on Tuesday scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
This was as the House adopted the motion to address the collapsed 300-meter!link bridge between Asaba and Uzere communities in Ndokwa East and Isoko South LGAs of Delta state.
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.
During the plenary session, Honorable Nnamdi Ezechi, the representative for Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, passionately presented a lead debate for the second reading of a bill that seeks to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act in order to establish the Federal Medical Centre in Kwale, Delta State.
He eloquently 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.
Hon. Ezechi began by recounting the hardships faced by the residents of Ndokwa/Ukwuani and neighboring areas, who must embark on long and arduous journeys to access specialized medical services.
This poignant narrative, he said, emphasized the dire need for improved healthcare access in the region, stressing that the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kwale will result in quicker access to care for the residents, alleviating their current travel burdens.
Furthermore, he highlighted the strategic significance of Kwale’s central location within Delta State.
According to him, this positioning makes it a key gateway, simplifying access to specialized healthcare services for people from various parts of the state.
In doing so, he also noted that this establishment would reduce the burden on the existing Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, which is currently shouldering the healthcare needs of a much broader region.
In an appeal that resonated with the conscience of his esteemed colleagues, Hon. Ezechi pointed out that Ndokwa/Ukwuani had been devoid of any substantial federal government presence, except for the Nigerian Correctional Facility.
He articulated the deep sense of belonging and inclusion that the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kwale would bring to the people in his constituency and himself.
He also emphasized the alignment of this project with the government’s commitment to fortify the nation’s healthcare system. It represents a significant stride towards achieving universal healthcare coverage and better public health outcomes for all.
With an impassioned plea, Hon. Ezechi urged his colleagues to endorse the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kwale, not just as a local concern but as a matter of national importance.
He called upon them to prioritize equitable healthcare access, drive economic growth, and enhance medical services in the region and across the entirety of Nigeria.
Following the powerful arguments put forth by Hon. Ezechi, the bill successfully passed its second reading.
The Honourable Speaker of the House directed that it proceed to the committee stage after a resounding voice vote, marking a significant step towards realizing this vital healthcare initiative.
In the same plenary session, Honorable Ezechi 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.
