BY ANDREW IKEHI
THE Delta State Public Health and Hygiene Bill, 2025, yesterday sailed through second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly
The bill being sponsored by the member representing Aniocha North State constituency and leader of the State Assembly, Hon Emeka Nwaobi is aimed at strengthening public health regulations and sanitation standards across the state.
The bill, which received overwhelming support from lawmakers during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, proposes the repeal of the outdated Public Health Law of 1957 and its replacement with a modern legal framework in line with contemporary health and environmental realities.
Leading debate on the bill, the Leader of the House and lead sponsor, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, said the proposed legislation is designed to enhance the prevention and control of communicable diseases as well as addressing critical sanitation issues affecting communities across the state.
“The existing Public Health Law has become obsolete and no longer reflects the realities of modern public health challenges,” Nwaobi said. “This bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework that will strengthen disease prevention, improve sanitation practices and safeguard the health of our citizens.”
According to him, the bill will also regulate the proper disposal of human waste, prohibit the adulteration of food and agricultural produce, and discourage unhealthy practices such as open urination and defecation in public places.
In their separate contribution, some of the lawmakers who spoke in favour of the bill described it as both timely and necessary, noting that improved hygiene standards remain essential to protecting public health.
The Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowovwo, said the legislation would significantly enhance environmental sanitation across the state.
“This bill will help promote a cleaner and healthier environment for our people. Public health issues are directly linked to sanitation, and this legislation will strengthen our regulatory capacity,” he noted.
Other members, who spoke in support of the bill included Augustine Uroye, Marylin Okowa-Daramola, Oboro Preyor, Charles Emetulu and Ebitonmo Alapala, who collectively stressed that the measure would help create a healthier and more sanitized environment for residents.
After extensive deliberations, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Guwor referred the bill to the House Committee on Health for further legislative scrutiny and directed the committee to report back to the House on April 1, 2026.
“We must ensure that any law we pass adequately protects the health of our people and addresses contemporary challenges in sanitation and disease control,” Guwor stated.
