The House of Representatives appears to lack immediate professional response to a medical emergency that developed during the probe of the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, on Monday [today].

Pondei had fainted during an investigative hearing into the activities of the NDDC concerning suspected illegal spending and mismanagement of funds running into billions of naira.

Pondei collapsed where he was seated, as members of the House Committee on NDDC grilled him.

The committee had grilled him for about 45 minutes before he suddenly collapsed.

Perhaps underscoring the lack of medical personnel that could respond to him immediately, those who attended to Pondei grabbed a can of malt drink that had probably been served him earlier and attempted to pour it into his mouth, which was forced open by other persons at the scene.

Pondei was later walked out of the Conference Room 231, venue of the investigative hearing, supported by other persons. There is no stretcher in sight.

A source told us that the National Assembly has a well-equipped clinic in its expansive premises, while it also maintains a hospital at Garki, Area 11, of the Federal Capital Territory.