Enugu Assembly Passes NHIS Bill Into Law

The Enugu State House of Assembly has passed the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Bill into law.

This followed the presentation of a report from the joint committees on Health and Judiciary and its third reading during plenary at the House on Tuesday.

David Atigwe, Chairman of the Joint Committee said the bill was referred to the committee on Feb. 4 and that a public hearing was held in March.

Atigwe noted that with the passage of the bill, affordable healthcare services would be provided for all levels of income earners in the state’s civil service.

Ruling on the motion to pass the bill, the Speaker, Eugene Odoh, commended members for their useful contributions since the inception of the bill.

He appologised for the delay in the passage of the bill which, he attributed to other official engagements, urging implementing agencies to put necessary arrangements for its immediate implementation.

“With the passage of this bill, the contributions of Enugu State Civil servants will not be in vain as it will enable them to access healthcare services at minimal costs,’’ he said.

In another development, the Enugu State Road Maintenance Agency Bill was introduced to the House by the deputy leader, Chief Mike Onyeze.

The executive bill which was not referred to any committee was to enable members to debate its merits and demerits before committing it to any committee.

Meanwhile, Odoh emphasised the need for the House Committee on Works to arrange for legislators to visit the rehabilitation sites at the Onitsha-Enugu and Enugu-Port Harcourt highways.