28th September, 2011
The Senate on has directed its committee on Health to investigate the recurring cholera epidemic ravaging some states and make recommendations on how to contain the scourge.
This was sequel to a motion brought by Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi over the recurrent annual outbreak of cholera in different parts of the country.
Adetunmbi, representing Ekiti North lamented that the outbreak was causing deaths and hospitalisation of many on an annual basis.
“In Adamawa state in June this year, there were about 230 reported cases in Mubi South and Maiha Local Government Areas and more than 30 people reportedly died.
“In Abia in May, the cholera scourge hit Umuahia-Ezeukwu community in Bende Local Government Area claiming 30 lives.
“In Oyo State, Ibadan North Local Government Area recorded 20 cases and four deaths in August†he said.
The lawmaker, who cited several other cases, decried the situation whereby cholera which was no longer prevalent in advanced countries had remained a threat to Nigeria.
In his contribution, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa decried the poor hygiene ethics in the country, especially in schools.
He said there was a need for a return to the basics where sanitary hygiene was taught in schools just as sanitary officers were sent out to inspect households in community.
Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, in his contribution, attributed the recurrent outbreak of the epidemic to the collapse of the public health sector.
“What made public health work then was that heads of families found wanting in not complying with public health regulations were appropriately sanctioned and this served as a deterrent to others.
“These sanctions should be renewed so that those who violate public health standards and endanger the lives of their neighbours are sanctioned,†he added.
Senate President David Mark, in his remarks, described the recurring outbreak as an embarrassment to the nation.
“For the fact that it has become a recurring decimal is an embarrassment to the nation. How can we achieve the Vision 20:20:20 if we do not tackle something like this?
“So much money has been sunk into the health sector and yet there are no positive results,†he said.
He called on local governments to be proactive in tackling the health challenge, adding that the federal government could not handle it alone.
NAN reports that the Senate Committee on Health is to report to the Senate in two weeks.
A bill seeking to repeal the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers Act and provide for the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment also passed through second reading.
The bill, if passed into law, would regulate and control the practice of securities dealings, investment profession and other related matters.
Mark referred the bill to the Committee on Capital Market and mandated it to report back to the Senate within four weeks.