Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has said that the State is not in support of the reintroduction of the National Water Resources Bill in the National Assembly.
Recall that the bill sponsored by Hon. Sada Soli (APC – Katsina) was initially passed in 2020 by the House of Representatives but was later withdrawn following criticisms from some Nigerians.
The bill, which seeks to establish an act that would provide a regulatory framework for the nation’s water resources, was re-introduced on the floor of the Green Chamber and was rejected by two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers.
However, the bill eventually passed the first reading at the Green Chamber on Tuesday after the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the bill’s sponsor informed him that Governors and the Attorney-General of States, made input and agreed that the bill is reintroduced.
Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday his spokesman, Terver Akase, Governor Ortom said the bill is anti-federalism, obnoxious and negates the right of Nigerians to their ancestral resources.
The Benue governor asserted that the North Central state is against the bill and should therefore be counted out of any discussion that pertains to the bill.
He stressed that the bill seeks to take over water resources which rightfully belong to states, calling on other state governments to kick against the bill.
