Reps suspend passage of controversial health bill

The House of Representatives has suspended the third reading and passage of the controversial Quarantine Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2020 popularly referred to as NCDC Bill.

The decision was made by the House on Tuesday, coming after the bill received wide criticism by many Nigerians over alleged infringement on fundamental rights.

While the lawmakers kept mum on the lawsuit filed by a former member of the Senate, Dino Melaye, challenging the proposed law, Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, disagreed with those saying that it was not the appropriate time to introduce such a bill.

Gbajabiamila said, “Since then there has been a barrage of criticisms and accusations, including allegations that the proposed bill is a product of inducement by foreign interests. The bill, which is still a proposal subject to consideration, amendment and improvement, has been assailed as a sinister attempt to turn Nigerians into guinea pigs for medical research while taking away their fundamental human rights.

“Suffice it to say that none of these allegations is true. Unfortunately, we now live in a time when conspiracy theories have gained such currency that genuine endeavours in the public interest can quickly become mischaracterised and misconstrued to raise the spectre of sinister intent and ominous possibility.”

Punch