The Federal Government has disclosed that it would go ahead with the Water Resources Bill as there is no hidden agenda behind the bill.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed ,who made this known to reporters in Abuja said the bill was not designed to cause water wars in the country but is a panacea to likely water conflicts in the country.
The Information Minister said critics of the bill have either not read it or might be mischievous.
Making the clarifications at a joint briefing with the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu ,Mohammed said there was nothing new about the National Resources Bill as it is an amalgamation of Water Resources Laws that have been in existence for a long time,which include Water Resources Act,Cap W2LFN 2004
The River Basin Development Authority Act,Cap R9LFN 2004.
The Hydrological Services Agency (Establishment)Act,Cap N1100A,LFN 2004 & the
National Water Resources Institute Act,Cap N83LFN 2004.
The Minister said that the laws were being re-enacted with necessary modifications to bring them in line with current global trends as well as best practices in Integrated Water Resources Management The overall objective being the efficient management of the Water Resources Sector for the economic development of Nigeria and the well-being of its citizens.
He further stated” The bill provides for professional and efficient management of all surface and ground water for the use of the people (ie for domestic and non-domestic use, irrigation, agricultural purposes, generation of hydro-electric energy, navigation, fisheries and recreation.
” The Bill will ensure that the nation’s water resources are protected,used, developed, conserved,managed and controlled in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all persons” adding the bill is not seeking to implement RUGA by subterfuge.”
On his part, the Water Resources Minister Adamu ,said the bill predated President Buhari’s administration as it started in 2008 and was sent to all the states for concurrence without any objection.
