
-Says bill does not give FG access to water and land resources of States or LGs
The Contentious National Water Resources Bill is meant for the statutory regulation of the use of water across the country, and has no negative provisions against states and Local Governments, the Chairman of the House Committee on Water resources, Rep. Sada Soli has said.
The lawmaker, who represents Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Katsina (APC), in an interview with select reporters on Monday said that the criticisms on the bill is borne out of misconception and misunderstanding adding that majority of the people speaking against the legislation do not have a copy and have not read it.
The lawmaker who said that the piece of legislation is an amalgam of four old bills one of which is 35 years old, noted that the bills were consolidated and updated in the interest of the country .
On why it is controversial, he said: “Its because people didn’t dead the bill. It’s not only about the law, but general life, once you don’t understand something, chances are you will interpret it wrongly and give it a wrong understanding.
“But what I admonish Nigerians, those that are interested is: let them grab a copy and go through it. This bill is a public document. Particularly, let them give it to people in the industry, they’re more likely to understand the advantages of the bill.

” Why? The bill is not new. Its a combination of four (4) Acts that have been in existence for the past 35 years in this country. So, we’re just consolidating them , improving them to come out with one legislation under the water sector. You’re better off with one law than bringing pieces of legislation under one sector. Its like what the states are doing with health: they bring all health legislation under one roof. Its innovation going around in legislation.
He debunked the belief and allegation that the bill will give the Federal Government unfettered access to water and land resources belonging to states or local governments.
“When you talk about certain kilometres of land to be ceded, that is not true. Show me which section in the bill said that. This clearly shows that people are not following. Public hearings were conducted, such issues that were raised were taken off the bill. And this provision you’re talking about has been in the Act for the past 35 years when it was talking about river banks.
Stating that Nigeria has over 700 billion Naira value chain in water, the committee chair said people are twisting the features in the bill for mischievous purposes. He added that it’s totally off the mark to allege that its a ruse to appropriate land for Rural Grazing Area (RUGA).
He added that there’s no sinister motive for passing the bill, and that its in the interest of, and for the benefit of all Nigerians.
” Water is a common resource to all people. And wherever water is common to the good of all people, it must be subjected to statutory control, whether Federal, State or Local Government. ” he said.
The National Water Resources Bill which was reintroduced to the 9th Assembly by the Executive failed to pass in the 8th Assembly. There has been sustained attacks on the bill due to certain provisions which many see as against the powers of the States and the local governments. Others see it as a clandestine move to surreptitiously snatch land for herders.
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