By Peter Ogege
The Delta State House of Assembly has approved a request from Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for the transfer of the General Hospital, Otor-Udu to the Federal Ministry of Health, paving the way for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area.
The approval was granted during Tuesday’s plenary session following the reading of a letter from the Governor by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
In the letter, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori explained that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, had expressed readiness to convert the existing General Hospital, Otor-Udu into a Federal Medical Centre.
The Governor noted that this initiative is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services in the region.
He further stated that, as outlined in the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), all existing buildings, infrastructure, staff, and other assets of the hospital will be handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health for the facility’s full takeover.
The motion for approval was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Oboro Preyor, member representing Bomadi Constituency. The House unanimously voted in support of the Governor’s request.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Bill, 2025 scaled through second reading during the same plenary.
Leading the debate on the amendment bill, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi pointed out significant gaps in the existing legislation, particularly the lack of clear definitions for the terms “cultist” and “cultism,” which has posed challenges for judicial interpretation and enforcement.
Supporting the amendment were the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo, and Honourable members Perkins Umukoro, Matthew Omonade, Austine Uroye, and Frank Esenwa.
They all emphasized the urgency of the amendment to ensure more effective prosecution of offenders.
In another development, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, who also chairs the Joint Committee, presented the committee’s report on the Delta State Hospital Management Board (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
