Connect with us

COLUMN

On the controversial Water Resources Bill

Published

on

WATER they say is life and as such very essential to human existence.

Its many uses cannot be overemphasized. So when a bill is introduced to restrict people from gaining full access to it, it makes no sense at all. When the National Water Resources Bill, 2020 failed to get a concurrent passage by the eight assembly under Senator Bukola Saraki, it resurfaced again during the ninth assembly under Senator Ahmad Lawan despite the public outcry and outrage it generated. With barely ten months to the end of this administration, the same bill has found its way back for the third time and is set for second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill which was first presented by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017 basically, seeks to transfer the control of water resources from the states and local governments to the federal government. What this portends is that all water resources in the country such as rivers, lakes, streams and even underground water will be under the full control of the federal government.

Nigerians had expressed concern at some sections of the bill which they felt will breach their right to water, with the most disturbing part being Section 120 which makes it mandatory for one to obtain a driller’s permit before sinking a borehole.

In clear terms the bill if passed into law, will clip the wings of both state and local government as well as individuals from making use of the water in their environment without a permit from the federal government. This development many believe will not augur well for the country. The result they say, will be disastrous, and may lead to serious chaos, crisis and even water wars. Recall that this same water resources bill almost tore the National Assembly apart, to the extent of pitching lawmakers from the north against those from the south.

With the initial bill titled: “A bill for an act to establish a regulatory framework for the water resources sector in Nigeria, provide for the equitable and sustainable redevelopment, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface water and groundwater resources and for related matter”. Section 98 of the bill states that the use of water shall be subject to licensing, Section 107 says a license might be cancelled if the licensee fails to make beneficial use of the water. While Section 104 addresses emergency powers in case of shortage of water, the bill will empower the federal government to direct a person who has a supply of water in excess of his needs for domestic purposes to reduce the amount he is permitted to extract under the terms of any license or general authorisation.

Aside the contentious sections of the bill, stakeholders have continued to question the real motives behind the reintroduction of this particular bill. For one, many are asking why the President has so much interest in the said bill. From every indication, the federal government seems to have vested interest which makes most people believe that there is a hidden agenda. The way and manner the bill keeps resurfacing lends credence to the fact that indeed, a plan is being hatched to deprive certain people of their inherited land and resources. There are concerns that the bill seeks to give control of all waterways to certain group of people who are predominantly cattle herders to the detriment of others who are farmers.

At the plenary few weeks ago, some lawmakers again kicked against the bill when it was presented. The bill was this time around sponsored by Hon. Sada Soli from Katsina who is also the Chairman Committee on Water Resources. A little drama ensued as the short title of the bill was being read when Hon. Mark Gbillar from Benue raised a point of order, reminding the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila that the bill in question generated a lot of controversy the last time it was brought up, hence should not be entertained. The lawmaker wondered why the issue was still being brought before the floor of the House since majority of lawmakers are not in support of it.

As the plenary progressed with arguments and counter arguments on whether the bill should be stepped down or not, the bill’s sponsor Sada Soli allayed the fears of Nigerians by promising that some contentious issues in the initial bill will be addressed in the new bill. He went a step further by vowing to his colleagues that if the issues come up again, he will have no choice but to withdraw the bill. Even though Nigerians are yet to see the content of this new bill, one thing is certain, the bill will still face rejection if the sections which has led to controversies over the years are not addressed.

Meanwhile, stakeholders and some individuals who have reacted to and expressed concern on the reintroduction of the bill include the Middle Belt Leaders Forum, South -South/South-East Elders Forum, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Dr. Femi Falana amongst others. Accusing fingers have been pointed at the federal government for making a clandestine move to revive the rejected Water Resources Bill which has the capability of causing disunity in the country. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also condemned the reintroduction of the bill. In a statement credited to the NLC President Ayuba Wabba, he categorically warned against legislative abuse or betrayal of Nigerians if the bill gets passed without public acceptability.

On his part and in response to the controversial bill, the Minister of Water Resources Engr. Suleiman Adamu believes the contrary, insisting that the bill will manage all surface and groundwater for the benefit of all, both for domestic and non-domestic uses as well as for irrigation and agricultural purposes. In his opinion, the bill will ensure that the nation’s water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved and managed in a sustainable manner for the good and benefit of all Nigerians. He is however, not happy with the misconception and controversies the bill has generated since its introduction.

Arising from a recent meeting, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) through its Chairman Kayode Fayemi disclosed the forum’s position which is that the bill should be reviewed to accommodate all concerned states. You will recall that at the reintroduction of the water resources bill, the governors had raised concerns that the bill did not adequately address the interests of states and is not consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They described it as a ploy by the federal government to secure lands around the riverine states in the southern part in order to resettle foreign herdsmen, after the failed attempt at introducing the cattle colony and Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) initiatives.

In the meantime, the National Assembly has sequel to the passage of the Copyright Act Bill by both chambers unanimously passed the bill for an act to repeal the Copyright Act, CAP C28 LFN, 2004 and enact a new Copyright Act 2022. This followed a clause by clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole, consequent upon which the House had a third reading and eventual passage of the bill.

The bill which seeks to provide for the effective regulation, protection and administration of copyright in the digital environment in line with global best practices, has four main objectives as outlined in clause 1. They include strengthening the copyright regime in Nigeria to enhance the competitiveness of its creative industries in a digital and knowledge based global economy, effectively protecting the rights of authors to ensure just rewards and recognition for their hard work and intellectual efforts while also providing appropriate limitations and exceptions to guarantee access to creative works, yet encouraging cultural interchange and advance public welfare

Other objectives are facilitating Nigeria’s compliance with obligations arising from relevant international copyright treaties and enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Copyright Commission for effective administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Copyright Act.

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *