The Edo State House of Assembly, on resumption of plenary after a short recess, on Monday, gave a second reading to a Bill for a Law to Repeal the Edo State Private Health Facility (Prohibition) Law 1984; Provide for the Regulation of Health Care Facilities and Related Services in the State; Establish the Edo State Health Care Regulation and Monitoring Agency (EDOHERMA); and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
The second reading of the bill followed its presentation by the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu.
Contributing to the debate, other lawmakers including Hon. Addeh Isibor, Hon. Maria Edeko, Hon. Richard Edosa, and Hon. Donald Okogbe spoke in support of the bill. They described it as apt and necessary, emphasizing that when passed, it would strengthen the regulation of private health facilities and help curb unethical practices such as quackery and the sale of hard drugs, which often contribute to maternal and infant mortality.
Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, described the bill as expedient and timely, noting that it seeks to address the proliferation of unethical practices in the private health sector across the state.
He charged the House Standing Committee on Health to effectively discharge its oversight responsibilities by ensuring that private health institutions in the state adhere to approved standards and regulations.
The Speaker thereafter referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Health with a directive to conduct detailed legislative scrutiny and report back to the House within two weeks.
Meanwhile, the House acknowledged the receipt of two letters from the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
In the first letter dated 8th October 2025, the Governor requested the House to undertake a thorough oversight function on two critical projects in the state, the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Museum for West African Arts. The Speaker announced that an ad-hoc committee would be constituted on Tuesday to carry out the assignment as requested.
The second letter, titled “Request for Confirmation of Members of the Judicial Service Commission”, was referred to the House Standing Committee on Rules and Business for screening and report. The nominees include Felix Imoisili, Razak Osayande, Esq., Shaibu Elamah, Esq., and Omozogie Matthew.
Also during plenary, the House expressed goodwill messages to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, on the occasion of his birthday and ninth coronation anniversary.
Plenary was thereafter adjourned to Tuesday, 21st October 2025.
