By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State House of Assembly has assured residents that it will subject the proposed Public Health and Hygiene Bill to thorough legislative scrutiny to ensure it adequately addresses contemporary public health and environmental sanitation challenges.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon (Dr) Ferguson Onwo, gave the assurance during a public hearing on the proposed legislation at the Press Centre of the Delta State House of Assembly Complex, Asaba.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Onwo said the Bill seeks to repeal the outdated Public Health Law of 1957 and replace it with a comprehensive legal framework capable of responding to present-day public health realities.
He said the existing Public Health Law has become obsolete and no longer adequately addresses the emerging health and environmental challenges confronting our society.
According to Onwo, the Bill is intended to provide a modern legal framework that will strengthen public health administration and improve the quality of life of the people.
The Lawmaker added that the proposed law would strengthen the prevention and control of communicable diseases, regulate the disposal of human waste, prohibit the adulteration of food and agricultural produce, and discourage open urination and open defecation in public places.
“The objective is to create a cleaner, healthier and safer Delta State. We are committed to ensuring that every provision of this Bill serves the best interest of our people. The House will carefully consider all submissions before passing the legislation”, Onwo added.
Stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including the Ministries of Health and Environment, the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and Environmental Health Officers, commended the Assembly for initiating the repeal of the 1957 law.
In their separate submissions, the stakeholders urged lawmakers to enact a robust and enforceable law that would strengthen public health administration, improve environmental sanitation, and promote healthier living conditions across the state.
The public hearing is part of the legislative process of the Delta State House of Assembly aimed at encouraging public participation and ensuring that laws enacted reflect the needs, aspirations and collective interests of Deltans.
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