The House of Representatives has reintroduced the National Water Resources Bill 2020.
The House had, in September 2020, withdrawn the bill following criticisms that it would give the federal government undue control over the water resources in states. The bill seeks a regulatory framework for Nigeria’s water resources sector.
The reintroduced bill, sponsored by Sada Soli Jiba, came up for first reading yesterday.
Jiba said the bill was drafted after wider consultations with stakeholders. He said he was ready to withdraw the bill at any point if found not to be in the overall national interest.
Rep. Mark Gbillah (Benue) reminded the House that the bill was earlier rejected.
But Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the contentious aspects had been removed from the reworked bill which, he noted, came up after wider consultations with stakeholders, including governors.
