COVID-19: Bauchi lawamker tests positive, Speaker mandates Assembly members to undergo tests

A member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Toro/Jama’a Constituency, Hon Tukur Ibrahim has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), Tribune Online reports.

The lawmaker is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The development made the Speaker of the Bauchi Assembly, Hon Abubakar Y. Suleiman to mandate all other members of the assembly to undergo COVID-19 tests.

He directed medical personnel in the state who are saddled with the responsibility of managing the infection to take blood samples of all the members of the assembly for testing in order to determine their coronavirus status.

The Speaker who stated this at a special preliminary session on Monday held at the State House said that in view of the contagious nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became imperative for all members of House to be tested even as he urged other members who are yet to be tested, to submit themselves to the medical personnel at the House for their samples to be collected and tested.

The Speaker further said that even though the House was on a recess, it decided to call it off and reconvene for a special preliminary session because of an important bill before it, adding that members have earlier agreed that whenever any important matter arises, they will reconvene.

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He also said that the Assembly received a letter from Governor Bala Mohammed, requesting the House to consider and pass a bill for a law to harmonise, integrate and consolidate all revenues collected by Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Local Governments of the state.

Majority Leader, Hon Tijjani Muhammad Aliyu, representing Azare/Madangala constituency, moved the motion for the first reading of the bill and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo, representing Chiroma Constituency.

The Clerk of the House, Barr Umar Yusuf Gital then read the bill for the first time on the floor of the House before the majority leader moved the motion for the second reading of the bill, which was seconded by the minority leader.

The lawmakers voted in favour of the bill as it was read for the second time by the Clerk of the house.

The House then adjourned sitting to June 16, 2020 as moved by the Majority Leader and seconded by the Minority Leader.