Onwuka Nzeshi
8 October 2009
Abuja — A strange epidemic which hit parts of Adamawa and Borno states, has claimed 100 lives, leaving a thousand others hospitalised.
The disease, which started from Mahi local government area, has spread to as many as nine other local government areas and threatening other communities in the neighbouring Borno state.
Honourable Emmanuel Bello who represents Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa state, disclosed this yesterday at the resumed plenary of the House of Representatives. Bello, who discussed the incident as a matter of urgent public importance , said the contagious disease has been manifesting in the form of cholera, making victims suffer constant stooling and vomiting.
According to Bello, samples of the stool and vomit have been collected and tested at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. He however said the results of the medical investigation did not reveal the specific disease. He prayed the House to urge the Federal Government to declare an emergency in the areas affected, while the National emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Health should proceed urgently to the area with medical supplies, to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.
He also urged the House to direct the Federal Ministry of Health to commence thorough investigation into the cause of the epidemic.The motion was unanimously adopted.Meanwhile, the House suspended plenary and went into an executive session yesterday, for undisclosed reasons.
The closed door session lasted about two hours before the lawmakers reconvened for the real business of the day,with the passage of two bills through the second reading. The legislations include, the Bill for an Act to Establish the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators and for Other Related Matters and a Bill for an Act to amend the Legislative Houses, Powers and Privileges Act, Cap. L12 2004, Law of the Federation of Nigeria.
The House also received report of the Joint Committee on Banking and currency and Justice on a bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation Act 2005. Eleven new bills were also received and read for the first time.
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