A price review for medicines, surrogacy regulation bill, and a N24bn refund for airport takeover are major take-away from today’s plenary
- Economy hardship: Review NHIS medicine price list, Reps tell FG
The House of Representatives called on the federal government to review the price list for medicine and medicare under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It also urged its relevant committees to interface with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to carry out a comprehensive review of the price list for medicine and medicare under NHIS. These resolutions were sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Paul Nnamchi (LP Enugu), on the urgent need to review the National Health Insurance Scheme’s medicines price list given the economic situation in the country. The lawmaker argued that the safety and well-being of Nigerians are of paramount concern to members, adding that the NHIS was established to serve as a critical lifeline for millions of Nigerians who are required to pay affordable amounts to access healthcare. He noted that existing medicines price list under the NHIS framework no longer aligns with the current market dynamics and cost structures of pharmaceutical products, as the last NHIS price list review was in 2021, when the exchange rate was between N400 and N420 NGN to $1 as against the current official rate of N1,594 to $1.
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- Surrogacy bill scales second reading
A seeking to establish the Nigeria Surrogacy Act and a Commission for the regulation, monitoring, and supervision of surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria scaled second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission for Monitoring and Supervision of Surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria and to provide for the Registration, Regulation and Monitoring of Surrogacy Agencies in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB. 1137) was sponsored by Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC Oyo). According to Rep. Akala, the bill is to provide protection for all parties involved in surrogacy, ensuring proper coordination of the critical legal components throughout the surrogacy journey.
- Reps okay N24bn refund to Kebbi, Nasarawa for airport takeover
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for a refund of about N24bn to the Kebbi and Nasarawa state governments, for the takeover of two airports built by the two states. OrderPaper recalls that on May 16, 2024, the President in a letter addressed to the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas urged the legislative chamber to refund N15,137,336,95.88 and N9,000,542,651,786.11 to the Kebbi and Nasarawa State Governments respectively, being the cost incurred in the construction of airports in both states. The House after dissolving into a Committee of Supply to consider the report on the request as submitted by the chairman, committee on aids, loans and debt management, Rep. Abubakar Nalaraba (APC Nasarawa), and granted the approval. While Kebbi is to get a refund of N15.14bn, Kebbi will get a total sum of N9.54bn based on claims made by both states.
- Reps task AGF to expedite trials of person in prolonged detention
The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to review cases where individuals have been held in pre-trial detention for an extended period and take necessary steps to expedite their trials. The House however in its resolutions mandated the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Correctional Services to investigate the causes of pretrial delays, propose necessary reform and report back to the House for further legislative action. This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep Ahmed Sani Muhammad (APC Zamfara) during plenary in Abuja. Moving the motion, Muhammad noted that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the International Human Rights Standard underscore the fundamental right to a fair and speedy trial. He observed that numerous individuals are languishing in prolonged pre-trial detention, often exceeding legal limits by years, thereby violating their rights and contributing to prison overcrowding.
BILLs CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in the House plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 700 3031
