The Lagos state
house of assembly on Thursday passed into law an emergency bill to help the
state combat coronavirus.
Of the 51 confirmed
cases of the virus in Nigeria, the state has the highest number, 32.
On Thursday, the
state lawmakers passed the “Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020”
personally sponsored by Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker, into law.
It affords Babajide
Sanwo-Olu, the governor, the legislative concurrence to spend an initial N20
billion to effectively contain the virus and enforce compliance by Lagosians.
The bill was
presented on the floor of the chamber by Noheem Adams, deputy majority leader,
after which it scaled the first and second readings and was passed to the
committee on health for further deliberation.
The bill was later
laid before the house by Hakeem Sokunle, chairman of the committee on health,
after which it scaled the third reading.
The bill gives the
governor the opportunity to make recourse back to the house before any
regulations.
The bill also
stipulates a fine of N100,000 for defaulters, one month imprisonment in the
correctional centre or three months community service.
Where the offence is
not spelt out, it attracts N200,000 and also allows the leadership of the
various arms of government to structure their own restriction format.
Section 8 of the
bill makes provision for the coronavirus Trust Fund.
The bill further
empowers the governor to declare a state of emergency of up to three months if
the situation requires so.
Speaking on the
bill, Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja constituency 2), said it was important to
alleviate the impact of the virus on the economy of Lagos, especially since the
bill would enable the executive to expend necessary funds to contain the virus
by providing adequate facilities in the state owned hospitals.
On his part,
Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2), said: “We urge Lagosians to bear with us.
Pandemics are not new but the way government and people react to it matters 150
states in the world.
“Lagos recorded the
first case,so they should look at the possibility to broaden it to capture much
more.”
Contributing, Obasa
said the contingency plan in the budget cannot sort out the current issue.
“Government needs be
seen doing something, making effective pronouncements. The governor can make
recourse back to the House if need be. If the budget procedure takes much time
that can’t suffice, the kick off fund will help,” he said.
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