Delta House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the Passenger Welfare Scheme (Repeal) Bill, 2022.

The bill passage was sequel to a motion for the suspension of Order 12, Rules 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 of the House by the majority leader, Ferguson Onwo, during the plenary in Asaba.

The motion, seconded by the member representing Warri South I Constituency, Augustine Uroye, was unanimously adopted by the assembly when put to a voice vote by the speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori.

The executive bill had earlier been forwarded to the assembly for further legislation by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa through a letter read by the speaker.

”The essence of the law was to create an Insurance Trust Fund to indemnify passengers against road accidents. By this, a proscribed fee was introduced and built into the transport fare of all passengers and afterwards, remitted to the appointed consultant.

”There is no doubt that the intent and purpose of the law was for the good of the people. However, the implementation of the scheme, rather than protect them, created more hardship than benefits.

”As a government that is committed to the wellbeing of its citizens and the advice from the state Ministry of Justice, it has become imperative to abrogate the Passengers Welfare Law, 2002.

”It is in this connection that I appeal to the House of Assembly to consider the repeal of the Passengers Welfare Law, 2002,” Mr Okowa had stated in the letter.

In his remarks, the speaker thanked his colleagues for the passage of the bill.

”The Delta government will continue to promote the welfare of the people of the state, and where implementation of any law creates hardship rather than benefit, the government will not hesitate to correct it,” he said. 

(NAN)