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Rivers Lawmaker Tops In Bills Presentation
Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon Kinsley Chinda, has emerged as the representative with the highest number of bills and substantive motions in the first six months of the National Assembly (June – December, 2011), thus taking Rivers state to the top in bills sponsorship.
The Tide checks shows that the Rivers State-born legislator who represents Obio/Akpor federal constituency in the House ranks above his colleagues in the 360-member House in churning out bills and substantive motions, with a total of 10 bills and 12 motions to his credit.
The bills include, Oil producing companies (Mandatory Investment in petroleum refining bill, 2011) and Pre-shipment Inspection of exports (Amendment) Bill, among others. The motions include Need to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Port Harcourt, Accountability and Transparency in the Management and Use of Ecological Fund and a motion on The removal of fuel subsidy.
The motions sponsored by Hon. Chinda who was Rivers state commissioner for Environment within this short period also include “The proposed increase in electricity tariff by the federal government of Nigeria; The need to plug leakages of public funds (Fuel subsidy removal); Need to urgently investigate and check the rising security challenges in the country; Need to enforce decisions of the House; and the Need to complete the East-West road (Edo-Akwa Thorn state axis).”
Others are: Need for government Agencies Charged with over-sight Responsibilities in Oil Spill Cases to be Independent; Failed contract for the dredging of the Calabar Channel and the Port Harcourt ports; Need for Teaching Hospitals in the Country to account for internally-Generated revenue (IGR); the recent fire- outbreak at Chevron’s oil rig; as well as a motion on The missing INEC machine.
The TideAbuja correspondent reports that the bills and motions which address diverse issues seek to restore sanity to the various sectors they focus on, ensure the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the populace and further advance the cause of democracy in the country.
Asked to throw more light on the bills and motions, Hon Chinda explained that the National consciousness bill was borne out of his desire to have Nigerians see themselves as truly and proudly as Nigerians, and to awaken the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in them, saying, ‘there is only one Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, so, there is need for one in Port Harcourt’.
Justus Awaji, Abuja
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
