Governors Reveal Position On Contentious Water Resources Bill

Governors Reveal Position On Contentious Water Resources Bill

Governors of the 36 states of the federation, yesterday, declared unanimous opposition to the contentious National Water Resources Bill, describing the proposed legislation as unconstitutional. They also said it failed to carry states along.

In a communique issued at the end of the 5th teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Tuesday, the governors “argued that the bill does not adequately address interests of the states and is inconsistent with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The bill, according to the forum, should be reviewed, with a view to accommodating the concerns of all states.”

The bill is the subject of a rumoured impeachment move against House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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Senate had in 2018 rejected the bill on account of its unpopularity across the country.

Specifically, the bill, as introduced in the 8th and current National Assembly, seeks to empower the Federal Government to control all water resources in the country, such as rivers, streams, lakes and underground water.

While northern senators, predominantly APC senators and Muslims, supported the bill and its objectives, their southern counterparts, mostly Christians, were strongly against it. Opponents had pointed out that if passed into law, it would hinder current move towards devolution of powers.

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