National Water Resources Bill not a New Law, Says Adamu

By Deji  Elumoye in Abuja
 

Following the transmission of the National Water Resources Bill by the Executive to the National Assembly for consideration, the Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu , has disclosed that the Bill “is not a new law; rather it an amalgamation of Water Resources Laws that have been in existence since 2004.

Adamu disclosed that the Bill was drafted in 2006 and passed through a series of consultations among stakeholders up to 2008, but received no priority attention by successive administrations

He explained that the laws which include “Water resources laws that have been in existence since 2004, the Water Resources Act, the River Basin Development Authority Act, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency Establishment Act and the National Water Resources Institute Act 2004 are being re-enacted with necessary modifications in the new Bill to actualise current global trends and best practices in Integrated Water Resources management

The Overall objective according Adamu “is geared towards efficient management of the water resources sector for the economic development of the well-0being of its citizens  

Interestingly,” the Bill which was drafted in 2006 was passed by the House of Representatives November 30, 2017, passing through a series of consultations  among stakeholders  up to 2008, since which time it received no priority attention by successive administrations” said Adamu.

The Minister said “ the Bill provides for the creation of an enabling environment for public and private sector investment. The Bill also provides for capacity building processes to foster good governance whilst establishing a water use and licensing framework to ensure sustainable financing for water sector development from tariffs including creation of an enabling climate for increased private sector participation in service delivery under Public Private Partnership Management contracts”

Adamu further clarified that Bill seeks “ to create clarity and ease for potential investors thereby reducing or eliminating legal, regulatiory and other risks that have the impact of elevated projects costs due  to uncertainty” reaffirming that the Bill is consistent  with the Constitution of the federal  Republic of Nigeria and the Land Use Act.