The House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation today paid an official visit to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) as part of its legislative oversight functions.
The visit was aimed at enhancing the committee’s understanding of the agency’s implementation of delegated legislation, regulatory compliance, and overall operational effectiveness in disease prevention and control.
The committee, led by its Chairman, Honourable Olufemi Richard Bamisile, was received by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, and members of the management staff.
In his welcome address, Idris emphasised that the Centre was established to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience and preparedness for health emergencies, with a focus on four key pillars: prevention, disease surveillance, detection, and response.
He highlighted the present administration’s four-point health sector initiative, noting that health security, which aligns directly with the NCDC’s mandate, is a critical component of the initiative.
Key priorities for the agency, he added, include strengthening public health infrastructure, enhancing legislation and governance, improving laboratory capabilities, and building strategic partnerships at both national and global levels.
Speaking on behalf of the members, Bamisile reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring that the NCDC operates within a strong legal and regulatory framework.
He said: “Our purpose for visiting today is to gain a deeper understanding of the subsidiary legislations that guide your operations.
“These regulations form the backbone of NCDC’s ability to execute its mandate effectively—from disease surveillance and response to public health promotion and epidemiological research.”
He acknowledged the critical role played by the NCDC in safeguarding public health, particularly in responding to emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
He further noted that the committee seeks to assess the effectiveness of the current subsidiary legislations and identify areas for improvement to develop legislative frameworks that will enhance the NCDC’s operational capacity for the benefit of all Nigerians.
