By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has issued a compelling plea for immediate intervention amidst a worsening cholera crisis affecting Lagos State and other regions across the country.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved during plenary yesterday by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda.
In his lead debate for the motion, the lawmaker explained that the call is underscored by the gravity of the situation being fueled by reports from the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, confirming escalating casualties.
He informed that the call is in harmony with the provisions of Order 8 Rule 5 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker also cited some alarming spread of cholera in Lagos State,Imo State and beyond.
The motion, according to him is very necessary even as it highlighted the critical need for swift government action to contain the outbreak as well as safeguar the health and welfare of all Nigerians.
The outbreak, he informed was initially detected in Lagos State, but has now spread across 32 states, including Abia, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Nasarawa, Katsina, and Zamfara, according to the NCDC.
He stated that factors such as inadequate access to clean water, poor sanitation, and insufficient personal hygiene practices have exacerbated the spread of the disease. Reports indicate a shortage of vaccines, contributing to a rising death toll.
Chinda used the opportunity to emphasize the constitutional mandate under Section 17(3)(c) and 17(3)(d) of the CFRN, 1999 (as amended), which obliges the state to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens.
He urged both federal and state governments to take decisive action to prevent further escalation of the crisis, stressing that without immediate measures, the outbreak could spiral out of control.
In response, the House called upon federal and state authorities to implement effective measures to contain the outbreak urgently.
The House also directed its Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values to launch extensive public awareness campaigns on the importance of maintaining hygiene.
Again, the House Committee on Healthcare Services was tasked with collaborating with health sector stakeholders to investigate the outbreak’s causes and provide actionable recommendations within two weeks.
