(SINL NIGERIA) The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Thursday affirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Senate to Improving healthcare delivery, protecting public health and enacting legislation that meets the urgent needs of the citizenry.
Akpabio spoke while declaring open a one-day public and investigative hearing, organized by the Senate committee on health (Secondary and Tertiary) on three important health priorities held in Abuja.
Specifically, the public hearing was on the Federal Oil and Gas Hospital (Establishment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Joel Thomas Onowakpo (Delta South), which proposed the creation of a specialized medical institution in Benikrukru, Delta State-serving communities, whose environment and health have been impacted by oil and gas exploration, the National Agency for Malaria Eradication (Establishment) Bill, Sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North) which seeks to institutionalize a sustained and targeted response to malaria-a disease that continues to claim hundreds of thousands of Nigerian lives annually, especially among most vulnerable populations and the motion to investigate the alarming and dangerous practice of chemical fruit ripening, Sponsored by Senator Ani, Anthony Okorie (Ebonyi South).
Represented by the chairman Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen, Akpabio noted that the issues at the public hearing are not theoretical.
He said the bills affect the health, productivity, and future of millions of Nigerians, saying the Senate does not treat such matters lightly. “That is why we are here today-to listen, to engage, and to act”.
Continuing, he said “Public hearings like this one give life to democracy. They give voice to the people. They allow us to craft laws not in isolation, but in collaboration with those who will live with their impact-doctors, scientists, regulators, civil society actors, and everyday Nigerians”.
Speaking on the motion to investigate the alarming and dangerous practice of chemical fruit ripening, the Senate President added “this is not just a consumer rights issue, it is a public health crisis in the making. The practice undermines food safety, threatens lives, and must be halted through effective legislation, public education, and regulatory enforcement”.
“As we open this hearing today, let us be reminded that health is not a privilege-it is a right. And it is our collective responsibility to protect it.
“Let us therefore proceed with a shared resolve to legislate not just for our time, but for generations to come” Akpabio said.
Earlier, chairman of the committee, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo stated that the public hearing was not just a procedural requirement, but a demonstration of the Senate commitment to inclusive and participatory lawmaking.
She said “today marks an important day in fulfillment of our responsibilities as law makers as we embark on a very crucial aspect of our law-making responsibility by engaging with various stakeholders to consider some health sector bills and a motion referred to the Committee”.
