DTHA Approves Transfer Of Delta General Hospital To Federal Government
THE Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) has approved the state government’s request to transfer the General Hospital, Otor-Udu, to the Federal Ministry of Health for its conversion into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ovwian, in Udu Local Government Area.
The approval, granted during plenary on Tuesday, followed a letter from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, read by Speaker Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, seeking lawmakers’ consent for the proposed collaboration with the Federal Government.
According to the Governor’s letter, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, offered to establish a new FMC at Ovwian using the existing facilities of the Otor-Udu General Hospital. Oborevwori explained that the initiative was designed to improve access to quality healthcare in Delta State.
The draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlined that all existing buildings, structures, staff, and other assets at the hospital would be handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health for the takeover.
The motion for approval was moved by the House Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Oboro Preyor(Bomadi Constituency). It was unanimously adopted following a voice vote called by the Speaker.
Also at plenary, the Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism Amendment Bill, 2025, scaled through second reading.
Leading debate on the bill, House Leader Nwaobi noted gaps in the principal law, particularly the absence of clear definitions for “cultist” and “cultism,” which he said had hindered judicial interpretation and effective prosecution.
Lawmakers including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Hon. Matthew Omonade, Hon. Austine Uroye, and Hon. Frank Esenwa all supported the amendment, stressing the need for speedy passage to strengthen enforcement against offenders.
Meanwhile, the House received the report of the Joint Committee on Health on the Delta State Hospital Management Board Amendment Bill, 2024, presented by Hon. Emeka Nwaobi.
