The contentious Water Resources Bill, which was reintroduced to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, has once more come under fire from the Benue State Government.
The law that caused debate in the National Assembly between 2017 and 2020 was reintroduced on Wednesday by Katsina State representative Sada Soli, chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources.
Recall that on April 11, 2017, the National Assembly received an Executive Bill that had been sent by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
However, the bill generated anger since many Nigerians saw it as a plan to seize the waterways and give them to Fulani pastoralists.
The Bill was reintroduced into the 9th Assembly on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, by Hon. Sada Soli. In accordance with Order Twelve (12) and Rule 18 of the Standing Rules of the House of Representatives, it was again taken into consideration on July 23, 2020, but was ultimately rejected.
The Benue government questioned why the bill keeps coming up from President Buhari's region in a statement by Terver Akase, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor Samuel Ortom, following the measure's recent reintroduction by the same legislator.
"It is odd that only legislators from Katsina, the president's home state, have persisted to introduce the Water Bill before the National Assembly when nearly every other legislator has a different opinion," the statement adds.
"The aforementioned backdrop is crucial to help Nigerians understand the trajectory of the plot to rob the indigenous people of the lands and water resources that were entrusted to them by God.
"The bill is anti-federal and undermines the right of Nigerians to their ancestors' resources since it attempts to place all water sources—surface and underground—as well as river banks under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government through its agencies.
"The measure is camouflaged land-grabbing legislation intended to give pastoralists unrestricted access to river basins, surrounding marine ecosystems, and coastal settings across the country, in addition to its provisions that are outrageously at variance with the Land Use Act. The purpose of the measure, which is a different take on ruga and cattle colonies, is to establish grazing spaces for herders and their animals in the 36 states that make up the federal government.
"We reject the claim made by Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, on the day the bill was reintroduced that all Governors had participated to its writing. The Speaker's naming of Governor Samuel Ortom as one of those who supported the bill is unacceptable in our opinion.
"Governor Ortom has consistently opposed cow colonies, ruga, and the water resources bill, and he won't change his mind now! We question why the Honourable Speaker wants to pressure every Governor into endorsing the proposed law and what his motivation is.
The introduction of a Water Resources Bill by the Buhari administration to deny the people their access to water resources comes at a time when Nigerians are clamouring for proper federalism, which entails the devolution of powers to states and local governments. This is unfortunate and also reeks of insensitivity.
The obnoxious National Water Resources Bill's proponents have shown crass contempt for Nigeria's unity and the current mood of the country, where people are being killed in their homes and even the clergy are not exempt from terrorist attacks. They are not only insane.
Shouldn't the presidency be more focused on giving a long-term solution to the widespread murders?
"The Federal Government doesn't appear to care that Nigeria is suffering as a result of the cruelty carried out on the populace by predatory herdsmen who are out to seize farmland.
Making some areas of this nation into safe havens for the herders and their livestock is all that matters to the current leadership.
"Hundreds of people have died, and billions of dollars' worth of homes and other property have been damaged.
Sadly, the only advice their leader gives Nigerians is to "learn to live with their compatriots". whose citizens? The murderous herdsmen?
"We want to remind Nigerians that if the National Water Resources Bill becomes law, citizens' rights to freshwater resources, including ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and springs, will be arbitrarily taken away.
The measure will prevent individuals, state and local government entities, and private citizens from using water in their backyards until Abuja grants them permission.
"The Federal Government's intent on seizing control of the nation's water resources amounts to the repression and enslavement of this nation's indigenous people.
"We categorically say that the National Water Resources Bill will not include Benue! Therefore, our state ought to be excluded from any debate of the measure.
"We urge the administrations of other States to come up in opposition to the land- and water-grabbing law that is presently being considered by the National Assembly. All patriots have the chance to be recognised as those who fought against contemporary slavery at this time.
"We also urge the National Assembly's members to disregard the water bill and once again act in the best interests of the populace. They ought to keep in mind that they are ultimately responsible for the fate of nearly 200 million Nigerians.