By Our Reporter
Abuja (Precise Post) – State governors will review the contentious Water Resources Bill to present a common position to the federal government.
Recall that the bill had continued to generate controversy as some prominent socio- cultural groups have rejected the bill.
In a communique issued after a teleconference meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum ( NGF), Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi said all the water related bills will be reviewed by the executive council and attorney-generals of states.
The minister of Water Resources Engineer Sulieman Hussein Adamu had earlier briefed the forum on the National Water Resources Bill 2020.
The minister emphasised that the basic philosophy behind the bill is to integrate water resources management in the country by bringing all laws related to water resources management into one consolidated code.
He noted that the new bill is consistent with the Land Use Act, and will promote equitable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface and groundwater resources.
Consequently, Fayemi said, Forum members while commending the Minister of Water Resources for taking an integrated approach on water resource management as a national good, “Resolved that the proposed Bill and other relevant laws including the River Basins Development Authorities Act 2004; the Natural Water Resources Act 2004; and the Nigeria Hydrological Resources Act 2004 will be reviewed by their Attorneys General and Executive Councils of States after which a common position of States will be presented to Water Resources.”
Fayemi who is also the chairman of the NGF said the governors commended the World Bank for facilitating ongoing activities geared towards accelerating the uptake of the CARES during the COVID-19 period.