Water Bill ‘ll Establish Regulatory Framework for Nigeria’s Water Sector – Minister
Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, has explained that the recently-reintroduced National Water Resources Bill, before the House of Representatives, is meant to ensure proper use of Nigeria’s ground and surface water resources through effective regulations.
“This is against the widely-disseminated fake news that the bill was aimed at taking over lands, water bodies and its resources across the country by the federal government,” he said.
Adamu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a parley with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and water experts.
The Minister, noted that the purpose of the Water Bill is to establish a regulatory framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria through the provision of equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface and ground water.
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He further decried how mischief makers have been sponsoring evil campaigns against the the bill aimed at discrediting its purposes and benefits to the people, who do not yet care to read the content of the bill and understand its provisions.
He noted how commercial companies are persistently siphoning water from the ground excessively and selling it back to the public without accruing the necessary taxes to the government.
While making his presentation, Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Engineer Bashir Umar Magashi said the Bill before the National Assembly is simply an amalgamation of already existing water resources laws that are presently being used to develop and manage Nigeria’s Water Resources.
He said: “Under the provision of this bill, every state can establish Water Regulatory Agency to manage waters that flow within the state. Meanwhile, Federal Government will take charge of those waters that traverse across different states.”
On the other hand, Dr. Nasir Wasagu, a Public Affairs Analyst, who is also the Special Assistant to the Minister Adamu, noted that, of the 70% water that covers the total surface of earth, only 2% is drinkable, thus necessitating the need to manage it in accordance with the best international practice through regulations.
By PRNigeria
