BENIN CITY – Edo State House of Assembly on Monday passed the bill for a law to ensure full integration of persons with disabilities into the society and to establish Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities and vest it with responsibilities for their education, healthcare, the protection of socio-economic, culture, civil and political rights.
The passage of the bill was sequel to the consideration of the report of the House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House on the bill for a law to ensure full integration of persons with disabilities into the society earlier presented by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon.Henry Okhuarobo, member representing Ikpoba-Okha constituency.
The House at the committee of the whole, in a motion moved by the Majority leader, Hon.Henry Okhuarobo and seconded by Hon. Nosayaba Okunbor member representing Orhionmwon East constituency considered the bill clause-by-clause without any major amendment.
On his part, the Speaker, Rt.Hon.Marcus Onobun said that the passage of the bill specifically designed to meet the aspirations of persons with special needs would lead to the establishment of the Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
The Speaker, however directed the Clerk of the House, Mr.Audu Omogbai, to give the bill its third reading while clean copies of the bill are to be forwarded to the Governor for his assent.
Meanwhile, the House has passed all 44 bills contained in the transmission of constitution of the Federal republic (5th alteration 44 bills) from the National Assembly.
The House, during the consideration of the 5th alteration bill of the constitution approved all the amendments contained in the 44 bills in a unanimous voice-vote without any objections.
In another development, the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Marcus Onobun has described as shocking the death of Rt.Hon.Jude Ise Idehen, the Federal lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
He made the disclosure yesterday when he led members of the House on a condolence visit to the family of the late Federal lawmaker who represented Ikpoba Okha Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly (two terms) and until his death represented Egor/ Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency.
He said the house was yet to come to terms with the sad development adding that the Federal lawmaker was an absolute gentleman who moved and sponsored bills and motions geared towards the development of humanity and his people when he served at the state house of assembly and national assembly respectively.
He said “We as members were in shock to receive the news of the death of Rt.Hon.Jude Ise Idehen. As a House, we have come to share in your moment of grief and to express our condolences over the death of Rt Hon Jude Idehen.
“We appreciate God for the life and impact and effective representation he brought to bear as a former two time member of the House” Rt. Hon. Onobun added.
The Speaker assured that the House would actively participate in the funeral programme.
On his part the Majority Leader, Henry Okhuarobo who succeeded the deceased lawmaker as member representing Ikpoba Okha constituency at the State House of Assembly while expressing shock over the death of the federal lawmaker said the House would continue to always celebrate the humility, generosity and warm disposition of the late Federal lawmaker.
Responding on behalf of the family, brother of the deceased lawmaker, Omoregie Idehen appreciated the lawmakers for their visit .
A minute silence was however observed in honour of the deceased Federal lawmaker.
