When on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori hinted the State lawmakers of his administration’s plan to establish a College of Health Technology in Ovrode, Isoko North local government area of the State, not a few Deltans saw it as a welcomed development.
The Governor’s intent which was communicated to the State lawmakers in a letter he, the Governor personally addressed to the State legislators was, no doubt, well understood by all 29 lawmakers in the State House of Assembly.
This, no doubting the fact, was responsively demonstrated following the attendant speed in the passage of the bill which, haven sailed through all legislative process, was Tuesday, February 11, this year, passed by the State House of Assembly.
The passage of the bill which currently awaits Governor’s accent, The Pointer reports, was preceded by its third reading during Tuesday’s Plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Motion for the passage of the bill was moved by the Majority Leader of the State Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi as it was unanimously adopted by the House.
Meanwhile, prior to its third reading and subsequent passage, the bill, our correspondent reports, was subjected to thorough legislative scrutiny at the committee of the Whole where the Lawmakers scrutinized the bill clause by Clause and section by Section.
Commending the Lawmakers for their legislative ingenuity in the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor said that by the passage, they have written their names in gold in the annals of history in the State.
According to the Speaker, the passage of the bill would ensure the establishment of another school of health technology in the State, adding that it would also, help in strengthening the health sector of the State.
Speaking In an interview with Assembly correspondents, the Majority Leader of the House and Chairman, House of Assembly committee on Information, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi noted that, when signed into law, the bill would go a long way in strengthening the State health sector as more health personnel would trained via the school.
Hon Nwaobi noted that the school when established, would train health personnel who would be certificated with Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in health related courses.
This, Nwaobi explained, would help in beefing up the health care delivery in the State.
Why College Of Health Technology?
Proposing the bill seeking the State’s legislature’s action for a law to establish College of Health Technology, Ovrode, the proponent of the bill and Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in a letter addressed to the State House of Assembly as read by the Speaker of the State legislature, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, hinted that the need to establish the College of Health Technology, Ovrode became necessary due to Nigeria’s high mortality rate of under five children caused by malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea and meningitis.
The Governor said to address the Under 5 Mortality Rate, the Federal government has shown commitment by improving human capital development aimed at reducing child mortality.
He explained that the College, when established, would be dedicated to the training of healthcare professionals that would provide auxiliary services in the health sector and improve human capital index of the State.
What The People Say!
Beyond the Hallowed chamber of the State House of Assembly where the bill was subjected to legislative scrutiny, the lawmakers’ as part of the legislative requirements in such sensitive and human-interest bill, also, subjected the bill to a session of public hearing where the inputs of relevant stakeholders were sought
At the public hearing, the stakeholders expressed optimism that the proposed Delta State College of Health Technology, Ovrode in Isoko North Local Government Area of the State, when fully established would scale up the Under Five Health Care Program of the State.
The Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon Ferguson Onwo who made the position of the stakeholders known during the public hearing on a bill for a law to establish the Delta State College of Health Technology, Ovrode, explained that the proposed College of Health Technology in Ovrode, is an innovation by the State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank for the purpose of improving the health sector and reducing the under-five mortality rate in the state.
Flanked by some other members of the committee, including Hon Perkins Umukoro, Bernard Odior and Festus Utuama, Onwo maintained that the choice of a rural community for the proposed health institution clearly shows state‘s government commitment for grassroots development.
He expressed profound appreciation to the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for choosing a community in Isoko nation for the College, saying the people are very delighted to have such an institution in their locality.
Onwo encouraged the host community of the proposed institution to protect it when it eventually comes to fruition as it is a great privilege and opportunity for positive development and global recognition.
The Lawmaker charged the people continue to support the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in delivering on his MORE Agenda.
He said “We are very proud of this innovation between the State government and the World Bank in establishing a College of Health Technology in Ovrode, which has a rural connotation.
“The Isoko people are receptive of what the Governor has done and I therefore encourage the host community where it is domiciled to protect the College when eventually established.”
“I want to thank his Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, for the initiative. We are proud of it and we will continue to support him to ensure that the MORE Agenda is on cause.” Onwo stated.
He assured that the House Committee on Health will collate all memoranda received from stakeholders as it relates to the bill and report back to the House.
The Health Committee Chairman, commended stakeholders who submitted memoranda as well as those that made oral presentations during the hearing held at the State Assembly Complex, Asaba.
Present at the public hearing were representatives from the State Ministry of Justice, Provost, college of Health Technology, Ufuoma, and representatives of environmental workers amongst others.
