Reps set to hold public hearing on infectious diseases Bill, see date

House of Representatives is ready to hold a public hearing on the controversial Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020.

Sources said the session will hold on Friday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Last week, the Senate and the House of Representatives insured the passage of the controversial bill they hope will fight the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

Onyxnews Nigeria gathered that the bill on Control of Infectious Diseases 2020, which vests overbearing discretionary powers on the Director-General of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and passed first and second readings at the House of Representatives surfaced on Tuesday, May 5, at the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Senator representing Enugu North who incidentally is the Chairman Senate Committee on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases, Chukuwuka Utazi has a new title: National Health Emergency Bill, 2020.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan directed for the distribution of copies to lawmakers, a sequel to the demand for a draft copy of the bill by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

The bill has already passed its first reading at the senate.