The Nigerian Senate has rejected the controversial National Water Resources Bill 2023.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the rejection of the Water Bill followed its listing for concurrence on the order paper for consideration and passage om Tuesday.
The controversial bill was presented to both Chambers of the National Assembly in 2017 by former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2017.
The bill sought for the transfer of control of water resources from states to the Federal Government, as well as the establishment of the National Council on Water Resources, Nigeria Water Resources Regulatory Commission, River Basin Development Authorities, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, and the National Water Resources Institute.
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If bill was passed, the proposed bodies would “provide for the regulation, equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface water and groundwater resources.”
The move by the Senate to reject the bill thus put an to the controversy it generated and backlash it received from governors and federal lawmakers particularly those from the southern region.
Upon the reading of the bill for concurrence on Tuesday, Senator Gabriel Suswan (Benue North-West) raised Order 85 of the Senate Rules, which provides that senators must have full details of the provisions of any bill coming for concurrence.
This was seconded by Senator James Manager (Delta South), who stressed the need to have details of the bill since provision was made for only the title of the bill.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, later ruled in favour of the rule cited.
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The Senate, thereafter, withheld concurrence to the bill, having ruled in favour of those who opposed it.
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives had passed the bill in 2020 amidst suspicion by members and the general public.
Before the passage, Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli, said the then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as well as commissioners for justice and attorneys-general of the 36 states of the federation, had been consulted and the opinions received would be attached to the bill and distributed to all members.
