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Tag: Reps

  • Bill seeking special economic status for states passes second reading at Reps

    Bill seeking special economic status for states passes second reading at Reps

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday, passed the second reading of a Bill seeking to grant special economic status to states with over 10 million inhabitants.

    The Bill, sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) and three others, seeks to alter Sections 80 (1) and 162 (1) of the Principal Act in the 1999 Constitution.

    Presenting the bill during plenary, Benson said that there was need to give deserving states the needed support to develop critical infrastructure to cater for their rising population.

    According to him, any state with special economic consideration, by this bill, shall be granted 20 per cent of all proceeds accruing to the Federal Government from the state.

    “This is essential to mitigate the pressures of urbanisation, overcrowding and decaying infrastructure thus, reviving the economic potential of such states to contribute significantly to economic prosperity of Nigeria.

    “The premise of the bill is the designation of any state within the threshold of 10 million inhabitants as a megacity by the United Nations.

    “This bill will position Nigeria as a proactive country ready to address the urban challenges of overpopulation, poverty, infrastructure decay and environmental degradation,’’ Benson said.

    He emphasised the need to consider states such as Anambra for special economic status, in view of it having the biggest river port city located in Onitsha.

    He added that Kano should be considered for such status to economically regenerate the textile, apparel and footwear industry that played dominant role in the manufacturing sector.

    “Despite the revenue and ambience Lagos contributes to Nigeria, poverty and social exclusion remain the major challenges because of the decay in infrastructure, occasioned by over population.

    “The good that can be done in this regard is to compassionate all the states serving as melting points of our nation’s heterogeneous nature.’’

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, therefore, referred the bill to the Special ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.

  • Reps to investigate death of corps member Miss Racheal Oladepo

    Reps to investigate death of corps member Miss Racheal Oladepo

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the death of Miss Rachael Oladepo, a corps member, at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Kano.

    This followed a motion by Rep. Olufemi Fakeye (Osun-Osun) which was unanimously adopted by members through voice vote.

    Moving the motion, Fakeye expressed concern over media reports last week on her death at Kano NYSC orientation camp.

    He said that Oladepo was aged 26 and was a first class graduate in Aviation Transport Management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, and a native of Osun State.

    According to Fakeye, Oladepo became sick few days after she reported at the orientation camp on Friday, Nov. 25, and reported her condition to the camp authorities who thought she was feigning sickness.

    The lawmaker informed the House that late Oladepo was admitted at the camp clinic under the supervision of an NYSC doctor supported by NYSC nurses.

    Fakeye expressed concern that the camp clinic might not have been adequately equipped as Oladepo was reportedly given some “placebo” and later injection with some substance which worsened her condition.

    He said that because Oladepo’s medical condition did not improve many hours after at the clinic, she was belatedly evacuated to another hospital where she reportedly died.
    The Leader of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajebiamila, said that “this is one, but too many deaths that should not be overlooked”

    He said that all those involved in the negligence including the Director General should appear before the Committees on Healthcare Services, Youths Development and Justice.
    Gbajebiamila said that the NYSC should work with states governments to provide better health care services in all the camps in the 36 states and which must be provided for in the 2017 budget.

    The house resolved that health insurance should be provided for all youth corps members in the country.

    The Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, referred the motion to the committees for compliance and they should report back to the House within four weeks.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House observed a minute silence for the soul of the departed corps member.