Assembly passes bill on containment of COVID-19, other diseases in Anambra

The law cited as: “the COVID-19 and other dangerous infectious diseases, prevention and eradication law, 2020” has been passed by the State Lawmakers during emergency plenary on April 16’’.

The plenary session was carried out by the legislators, with strict observation of social distancing in their seating arrangement.

The Speaker, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, who presided over the plenary described Coronavirus pandemic as `deadly’.

He thanked the lawmakers for painstakingly passing the law, which, according to him is aimed at ensuring the containment and eradication of COVID-19 and other dangerous infectious diseases and the health of the people of the State.

The Speaker read out the bill for passage, while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes and passed.

Under offences and penalties, “the bill stipulates that anybody who violates any of the provisions of five to nine directives has committed an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of N100,000 or to a term of a month’s imprisonment.”

Speaking on the bill, Majority leader, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor said the bill sustained all the directives already provided by the State government to combat the disease.

He noted that government directives include closure of state boundaries, restriction of movements and comprehensive but temporary.

Others are restriction on public gathering, social distancing as well as personal hygiene and safety health measures.

Mr. Obinna Emeneka, representing Anambra East Constituency described it as a welcome development.

“The bill empowers the Chief Judge of the state to designate such number of Magistrate’s Courts or High Courts in any senatorial zone of the state as he may think appropriate for the summary and expeditious hearing and determination of all matters on violation of relevant provisions of the law.”

The House, then, set up a 10-man Committee known as `the House of Assembly COVID-19 Observation Team,” headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Pascal Agbodike.

Also at plenary, the House in compliance with the 1999 Constitution as amended elected Chairmen and members of Local Government Transition Committees for a period of three months.