A bill for a law to provide for the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot in Delta State has passed through secondary reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The sixteen sections proposed law has the member representing Ughelli North One Constituency, Hon Charles Onyiyere as the lead sponsor with fifteen others.
Leading debates on the merits of the bill at plenary presided by the Deputy Speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor, the lead sponsor and member representing Ughelli North One Constituency, Hon Charles Oniyere, said the proposed law is purely aimed at saving lives.
Hon Onyiyere explained that the bill sought to make it mandatory for hospitals to receive and treat victims of gunshots without questioning or asking for initial deposits and report to the nearest police station after commencing treatment.
The Lawmaker emphasized that it was wrong to term anybody with gun shot wounds as criminal, saying that there was the need for first aid attention and other necessary assistance to the victim and then proper investigation.
Hon Onyiyere stated that the proposed law also provides that anyone who assist the victim should not be embarrassed or punished.
“The bill is for compulsory treatment of victims with gun shot. It is a straight forward bill. It is to save lives. You can not term anybody with gun shot wounds as criminal. The bill is to make it compulsory to treat victims of gun shot and to render necessary assistance to victims. Any one who assist a victim should not be punished for rendering such humanitarian service and support”, Onyiyere stated.
In their contributions to the merits of the bill, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Oboro Preyor, Deputy Chief Whip, Solomon lghrakpata, member representing Ika North East, Anthony Elekeokwuri and Aniocha South, Austin Chikezie, described the proposed law as apt, timely and in line with constitutional provisions.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Oboro Preyor, pointed out that security and welfare of citizens is the primary responsibility of government, stressing the need for compulsory treatment of victims of gun shots without any delay as human life is sacrosanct as no one can create life.
“Security and welfare of citizens is constitutional responsibility of government. The bill is to make it mandatory for hospitals to treat gun shot victims immediately without any delay.
Human life is sacrosanct as no one can create life”, Preyor emphasized.
Saying that the law was being domesticated in Delta State as it had already been enacted at the federal level, the Deputy Chief Whip, Solomon Ighrakpata, said many have died while waiting for police report before treatment of victims with gun shots.
“This bill had been passed at the national level. It is just being domesticated in Delta State. Many have died while waiting for police report before treatment and other negligence of victims with gun shot wounds. This bill is aimed at addressing such ugly circumstances,” Ighrakpata said.
The Ika North East representative, Anthony Elekeokwuri on his part, said the bill meant no harm, pointing out that the proposed law also provides that anyone who volunteered to assist victims with gun shot should be treated with respect and not subjected to unnecessary and embarrassing interrogation in their genuine attempt to save lives.
“This bill mean no harm. It is timely and apt. The purpose is to enhance good governance in Delta State. Any volunteer to assist victim of gun shot should be treated with respect and not be subjected to unnecessary interrogation and embarrassment.
Emphasizing the many merits of the bill as highlighted by the lead sponsor, the member representing Aniocha South, Hon Austin Chikezie said it was expedient for hospital that receives any person with gunshots wound to commence treatment and then notify security agencies and relatives within 24 hours of becoming aware of the victim’s identify.
The Bill enjoyed unanimous support of the lawmakers.
The Deputy Speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor, subsequently referred the Bill to the House Committee on Rules, Business, and Judicial Matters for further legislative actions.
