Member representing Alimosho Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon Olufemi Adebanjo, on Thursday, urged the National Assembly to relax the COVID-19 protocols on wearing face masks.
Hon Adebanjo who gave the charge at plenary when he raised a point of order, argued that there is no more COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and abroad.
The lawmaker said his position was premised on the fact that for the past two months he has not heard of any case of COVID-19 in Nigeria or abroad which shows the pandemic is over.
He said: “Masking has been very painful and the earlier the better we relax the rule that compulsorily asks Honourable members to wear the mask. If you look around you can see how many people are wearing the mask.
“It affects our respiratory system and our lungs. So there is no more COVID-19 in Nigeria, there is no more COVID-19 abroad, in fact, let us relax the rules, Mr Speaker.”
However, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase, who acknowledged the point of order said as lawmakers, the House can not be breaking the law.
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Hon Wase said the COVID-19 protocols have been set by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) created by an Act of the National Assembly, hence the parliament can not violate rules made by the centre.
“I want to advise, as legislators we are supposed to be compliant with rules, the constitution, the acts and it is by the leave of the House that we have the NCDC for regulating our affairs and conduct. So it is not for the Speaker to rule on their duty duly with the act of the National Assembly.
“I want to beg that we should continue to comply with the regulations set for our country and the world. Your point of order is noted,” he stated.
Also at the plenary, the House passed through second reading, a Bill for an Act to establish the National Centre for Research and Production of Snake Vaccines in Kaltungo in Gombe State.
The private member bill sponsored by Hon Karu Elisha seeks to provide for the establishment of the Centre to research into Snake and to provide treatment to patients in Nigeria.
When established, the Centre provided for in the Bill will provide national leadership in snake research, production of vaccines and guide scientific improvements to snake prevention, treatment and care.
The Centre is also expected to: coordinate and liaise between a wide range of groups and healthcare providers with an interest in snakes; make recommendations to the Government about snake policy and priorities, and oversee a dedicated budget for research into snakes.
“Assist with the implementation of government policies and programmes in snake control; provide financial assistance, out of money appropriated by the National Assembly, for research and treatment.”
Meanwhile, at resumed plenary, Yahaya Danzaria, Acting Clerk of the House administered the oath of national allegiance and membership of the House on two new members, namely: Hon Mayuwa Alade and Hon Musa Agah Avia.
Hon Alade is representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency of Ondo State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Hon Avia is the member for Jos North/Bassa in Plateau State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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