Bill For State Resources Control Passes 2nd Reading In House Of Reps

The House of Representatives at the plenary on Wednesday passed through second reading a Bill seeking to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to move Water for Domestic, Commercial, Industrial, Irrigation, Power, and Other Uses to the Concurrent Legislative List.

The development, if it sailed through, will allow State Governments put to sustainable use water within their State, make provisions for State Governments to access mines in their States, provide for the financial autonomy of Local Government Councils by prescribing an Independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account.

The proposed legislation sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other lawmakers, was presented for second reading by the House leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere.

The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to give State Governments access to mines.

The explanatory memorandum of the Bill states, “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as__amended) (herein referred to as the “Principal Act”) is amended as set out in | this Bill; Part 1 of the second schedule is amended as follows: “Mines and minerals, including oil fields, oil mining, geologica! surveys, and natural gas. Provided that Governments of States where mining activities take place shall be involved in matters relating thereto.”

When put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, it was supported by the lawmakers and passed for second reading accordingly.