Water Resource Bill Capable of Endangering National Unity if Passed Into Law, Facts about the Bill

By Akpojotor Fejiro

The water resource bill which was first introduced in 2018 but was rejected by the 8th assembly, has faced a barrage of criticism following its reintroduction in the 9th assembly.

The water resource bill seeks to bring all water resources (surface and underground) and the banks of the water sources under the control of the Federal Government.

Critics of the bill say if the bill is passed into law it may endanger national unity of the country. Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka has also condemned the bill saying that the bill would give the president “absolute control over the nation’s entire water resources, both over and underground”.

Despite the widespread controversies, the bill has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

Here are five things to know about the national resource bill.

1. The bill proposed that water usage be subjected to licensing provisions and that the licence may be cancelled if the licensee “fails to make beneficial use of the water.”

2. The bill states that all landlords must obtain a driller permit before sinking a borehole in their homes.

3. It directs persons who have excess supply of water to cater for their domestic needs to reduce the quantity to what they can consume.

4. Only authorised personnel may carry out routine checks to inspect water usage or water disposal on properties with the production of their identity card or other instrument or certificate of designation if so required.

5. Only those permitted under the Act are permitted to consume water.

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