Senate Passes Bill to Establish National Agency for Malaria Elimination, Nwoko Expresses Confidence in Success

The Senate on Tuesday passed for third reading a bill seeking the establishment of the National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria and for related matters.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), assured Nigerians that the objective of the legislation is achievable and would make Nigeria the first country in Africa to become malaria-free.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West).
In its report, the committee explained that the proposed agency, when established, would be responsible for coordinating all national efforts aimed at the prevention, control, and eventual elimination of malaria.
The report specifically stated that the agency would help shift the country’s approach from a curative strategy to a preventive and elimination-focused model.
According to the committee, the proposed agency would operate nationwide through zonal and state offices and would be guided by a strategic plan anchored on law, science, and accountability.
Speaking after the passage of the bill for third reading, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described the legislation as a landmark intervention in the fight against malaria, noting that the disease remains the most common ailment in this part of the world.
Addressing journalists after the bill’s passage, Ned Nwoko said the elimination of malaria in Nigeria is both practical and achievable.
“In the course of my research on malaria elimination, I travelled to Antarctica with some of my legislative aides, after which I came up with the bill. It was passed for second reading in May last year and has now passed third reading in the Senate today,” he said.
“Eradicating or eliminating malaria is achievable in Nigeria through a special agency dedicated to that purpose.
“The agency, when established, will, through effective waste management, fumigation, and vaccine research, work towards the elimination of malaria in Nigeria,” he assured.