Anambra State House of Assembly has kicked against the passage of National Water Resources Bill, 2020 which has passed through second reading on the floor of the National Assembly.
The lawmakers had called for a public hearing to be conducted on the National Water Resources Bill, 2020, before its final passage, saying that the bill was not people-oriented.
This resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by Honorable Timothy Ifedioranma representing Njikoka 1 state constituency during plenary on Sept. 3.
The Speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, who presided over the plenary session, had put up the motion while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes, which he described the motion as timely.
In his submission, Hon Ifedioranma averred that the bill when passed would impose infringements to citizens’ right to water, which is a basic necessity of life.
“Mr Speaker, it is quite disheartening that in spite of laxity and inability of the various tiers of government to provide potable water to the populace, the Nigerian citizens in their usual dogged nature dig boreholes as an alternative means of making water available, only for the National Assembly to come up with this obnoxious bill.
“In very clear and express terms, the Bill seeks to bring all water sources under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies to be established by the Bill.”
He listed some provisions of the Bill to include making it compulsory for Nigerians to obtain a driller’s permit before sinking boreholes in their homes and entry into land in furtherance of duties.
ALSO READ: I want to put on some weight
“An authorised person may, at any reasonable time and on the production of their identity cards or other instrument or certificate of designation if so required, enter a property with the necessary persons, vehicles, equipment and materials in order to carry out routine inspections of the use of water or disposal of wastewater under any authorization.
“No person shall use water otherwise than as permitted under this Act,’’ Ifedioranma decried.
“A close look at the bill shows that its overriding objective is to vest in the Federal Government the total control of all the freshwater resources across Nigeria.
“The implications are numerous. If the bill is passed into law, the rights of citizens over freshwater resources- ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, springs will be eroded.
“It will be illegal, under the circumstance, for any person, anywhere, including in the remote villages, to sink a borehole, for instance, without a permit from the Federal Government.
“Borehole permit will have to be obtained from Abuja and getting it will be most difficult.
“It is quite unfortunate that we have this Bill to contend with, at a time like this when we should encourage drilling of water provided that the necessary environmental impact assessment has been carried out.
“The essence of water to human existence can never be overemphasised, do we talk about the importance of water to Agriculture or the importance of water in the production of goods and services.
“Or the importance of water in Civil and Building Construction or the domestic uses of water?’’
The lawmakers that spoke in favour of the bill are Hon. Obinna Emeneka representing Anambra East constituency, Hon.Pete Ibida, representing Njikoka 11 constituency and Hon Nonso Smart Okafor representing Nnewi North state constituency.
They vehemently condemned the Bill, describing it as posing great danger to human lives, saying that water was essential to the healthy living of people.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
EDITORIAL: FG’s Gaffe On Amotekun
FOR the umpteenth time, the presidency stirred the hornet’s nest recently. Against the run of logic and the law, it declared that regional security outfits such as Amotekun would be subsumed under the existing policy architecture. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, featuring…
E Ink Tablets Are Fast Replacing Pen And Paper.
E Ink tablets are devices that allow you to do the things you can do with a pen and notepad, which is to take notes for keeps with the possibility of reviewing later. The simplicity of these devices is so amazing that using them is just like using pen and paper. Technological advancements have made lots of people turn to…
22 Christians And Muslims Leaders Unite For Peace In Kaduna
Muslim and Christian leaders in Kaduna State have called on adherents of both religions to stop conducts that are unbecoming of their faith but to embrace peace instead. The leaders of faith spoke at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna when Governor Nasir El-Rufai inaugurated the House of Kaduna Family, a platform…
Over 9,246 Teachers Failed Professional Qualifying Exams ― TRCN
Not less than 9246 teachers failed the Batch A professional qualifying examination conducted in July 2020, by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). Registrar/Chief Executive of TRCN, Professor Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, who release the results the examination on Thursday in Abuja, however, said a…
NBA Team Denied Access To Kano Singer Accused Of Blasphemy
A two-man fact-finding committee set up by the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Olumide Akpata to visit Yahaya Sharif Aminu in Kano Correctional Centre was denied access to the convicted singer. The committee made up of the NBA 1st Vice President– Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins and the…
and then