The Benue State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill providing for free treatment of snakebite victims in government hospitals across the state. The bill scaled through its third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS, on Thursday.
The passage followed a public hearing held on Monday, 23 March 2026, where stakeholders in the health sector highlighted the importance of the legislation to residents, particularly those in rural communities. Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, Hon. Dr. Mathew Damkor, representing Tiev State Constituency, said snakebite remained a serious but often neglected public health challenge, especially among farmers and rural dwellers. According to him, the new law would remove financial barriers to treatment and establish a structured response system for snakebite cases in the state. Speaker Emberga described the legislation as timely, stressing that snakebite incidents posed significant challenges to rural communities and farmers.
The Assembly also passed the Benue State Honours Bill into law. The legislation seeks to recognise excellence, integrity and outstanding service to Benue State while promoting patriotism, diligence and innovation. It is designed to encourage individuals and organisations that contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and to establish a transparent, merit-based system for conferring state honours. Lawmakers contributing to the debate stressed the need to honour deserving sons and daughters of Benue who had made significant contributions to the development of the state. The bill was considered clause-by-clause before its passage.
Meanwhile, the House received the report of its Standing Committee on Rural Development and Cooperatives on its familiarisation and working visit to the Ministry of Cooperative and Rural Development. The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Abraham Jabi, representing Buruku State Constituency. Following consideration of the report, Speaker Emberga directed the committee to liaise with the Accountant General of the state to ascertain why funds had not been released to the Ministry of Cooperative and Rural Development.
In another development, the House gave first reading to the Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, sponsored by Hon. Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency. The proceedings were contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Zape Upaa Michael, dated 24 September 2026.
