The Delta House of Assembly has passed the state forfeiture of property bill, which seeks to outlaw illegal dealings in crude oil and provides for the forfeiture of property used for storage of suspected stolen crude in the state.

This followed the third reading of the bill during plenary in Asaba on Friday, which was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.

Majority Leader, Ferguson Onwo, moved for the suspension of Order 12 of House rules 82 and 83 to enable the House to pass the bill.

Meanwhile, the house also passed the state Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response bill, which sought to provide for effective surveillance and response of maternal and parental deaths and related matters in the state.

The speaker said the state forfeiture of property bill, when signed into law, would help check oil bunkering and ensure that those who use or provide their property for illegal bunkery were held liable.

On the Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response Bill, he said that the law would among other things, help to fish out quacks in the health sector.

On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Health, Augustine Uroye, said that the state Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response Bill, when signed into law, would help to protect the lives and property of the people of the state.

(NAN)