A bill for an Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers has passed third reading at the House of Representatives.

This was sequel to the unanimous adoption of a report by the House Committee on Health Institutions at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

The report was laid before the Green Chambers on Feb. 1, by the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Tanko Sununu.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Farah Dagogo (PDP-Degema/ Bonny) in collaboration with 12 other legislators from Rivers.

While leading the debate on the bill, Dagogo said that the medical centre would cater and address the consistent surge in the population of Bonny and Rivers at large.

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He said owing to the oil explorative activities on the Island, the figures of persons were estimated to increase drastically, especially with the construction of Train 7 of the NLNG in progress.

“The few health facilities on the ground are incapable of handling serious health-related ailments or emergencies; thus the availability of a good healthcare facility is critical at this point, and ought to be a matter of grave concern to the government.

“Currently, existing facilities look more like mere consulting clinics. Besides, Bonny is an Island that grapples with many security challenges on the waterway.

“No medical centre in the area can withstand an outbreak of serious epidemic or hazards caused by industrial or social-related activities.

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“The absence of a good secondary health care facility is a concern to the residents, and this has led to vociferous calls and clamour for the provision of an improved healthcare system, hence the bill,” he said.

The lawmaker said that the medical centre, when fully operational, would generate employment and impact positively on the state as well as reduce criminality.

“The bill will now be referred to the Senate for concurrence and then sent to the President for assent.