FIC Report (Benue State) – The Honourable Member representing Makurdi South State Constituency, Hon. Douglas Terkume Akya, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, led the debate for the Second Reading of House Bill 4 (H.B.4) during plenary at the Benue State House of Assembly.
The bill, titled “A Bill for a Law to Make Provision for the Establishment of an Agency Against Quackery in Benue State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2025,” seeks to establish a permanent statutory agency tasked with combating the menace of quackery in the state’s healthcare sector.
In his address, Hon. Akya stated that the bill was inspired by the rising number of unqualified individuals posing as medical practitioners, thereby endangering lives and undermining the integrity of the health system in Benue State.
“This bill is born out of the urgent need to curb the growing menace of quackery. Relying on temporary and poorly funded taskforces is no longer sustainable. We must institutionalize the fight through a dedicated and empowered agency,” he asserted.
Key Responsibilities of the Proposed Agency Include:
Identifying, investigating, and prosecuting fake health practitioners;
Collaborating with national regulatory bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Pharmacists Council;
Public sensitization on the dangers of patronizing unlicensed health providers;
Maintaining a central registry of certified health professionals and facilities;
Working with security agencies to shut down illegal practices and enforce compliance.
Hon. Akya highlighted that a statutory agency would offer legal authority, operational continuity, dedicated staffing, and strategic coordination—advantages that temporary taskforces lack.
While noting the potential financial costs of setting up the agency, he emphasized that the long-term benefits, including saving lives, reducing public health costs, and restoring public confidence in healthcare delivery, far outweigh the investment. He also proposed alternative funding avenues such as licensing fees, fines, and international health grants.
“The lives of our people must no longer be left in the hands of impostors. The passage of this bill will send a strong message that Benue State will no longer tolerate medical quackery,” he concluded.
The debate received support from Hon. Abu Edoh, representing Agatu State Constituency, who stressed the need for intensified public enlightenment, especially in rural areas, to discourage the patronage of quacks and encourage the use of government-recognized health facilities.
In closing, Speaker of the House, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, directed the Clerk of the House, John Hwande, to read the bill for the second time. It has now been referred to the House Committee on Health and Human Services for further legislative work. The third reading is scheduled for the first week of September.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center, Federal Information Center,
Makurdi
