The Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Friday passed the Medical University Bill into law amidst stiff opposition from stakeholders at a public hearing three days earlier.

Stakeholders at Tuesday’s public hearing unanimously opposed the establishment of additional tertiary institutions in Bayelsa when existing ones are not well funded.

Stakeholders including Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Civil Liberties Organisation amongst others had kicked against the idea of a Medical University arguing that existing medical school was in dire need.

The Bayelsa government owned Niger Delta University’s Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Technology, School of Nursing are crying for infrastructure and funding and manpower.

The adverse public hearing report notwithstanding, the House went ahead to give expedited passage to the Executive Bill presented by Gov Seriake Dickson.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Kombowei Benson, said the assembly had passed 116 bills in the past one year.

The House proceeded on its annual six-week recess.

The House had earlier unanimously rejected a Bill before the National Assembly for the establishment of a framework for the water resource sector in Nigeria

The rejection of the Bill was preceded by a motion moved by the member representing Southern Ijaw 1, Hon. Kate Owoko (PDP)

Owoko had described the waterway security bill as obnoxious, provocative and targeted at controlling the lifestyles of the people of the Niger Delta region who are predominantly dependent on water and Marine activities.