By: Titus Akor, Makurdi.
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‎A bill seeking for the free treatment of snake bites in government hospitals in Benue State has been passed into law by the Benue State House of Assembly.
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‎The bill was passed after scrutiny through the third reading during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS.
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‎The passage of the bill followed a public hearing held in respect of the Bill on Monday, 23 March 2026, where Stakeholders from the health sector highlighted its benefits to the people.
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‎Chairman, House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services Hon. Dr. Mathew Damkor (Tiev State Constituency) highlighted the importance of the snakebite treatment bill, noting that snakebites remain a serious but often neglected public health challenge, particularly among farmers and rural dwellers.
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‎He said the law would eliminate financial barriers to treatment and establish a structured response system.
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‎The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Emberga described the law as timely and important to the rural dwellers, saying that snakebite incidents caused serious challenges in rural communities, particularly among farmers.
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‎Also during plenary, the House passed into law the Benue State Honours Bill .The bill aims to recognise excellence, integrity, and service to Benue State, while promoting patriotism, diligence, and innovation.
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‎It is also designed to encourage contributions to socio-economic development and establish a transparent, merit-based honours system.
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‎Members who contributed highlighted the importance of honoring deserving sons and daughters of the State who have contributed immensely to the development of the State.‎ The House considered the bill clause by clause before passing it.
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‎The House also received a report of the House Standing Committee on Rural Development and Cooperative on her familiarization/ working visit to the ministry of Cooperative and rural development as presented by Dr. Abraham Jabi ( Buruku State Constituency)
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‎Following the report by the committee, the Speaker directed the committee to laise with the Accountant General of the State and ascertain while funds have not been released to the Cooperative Ministry.
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‎The Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti Discrimination bill was also read for the first during plenary.
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‎The bill is sponsored by Hon. Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency.