Politicians Hijacked Water Resources Bill – FG

Minister of water resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, has expressed disappointment at the non-passage into law of the Water Resources Bill that has good intentions for all Nigerians.

He said the bill has been politically hijacked by some people in the country.

He however said there were no regrets because 96 percent of the bill was already in existence.

The minister spoke at a media parley of the valedictory forum organised by the ministry in Abuja alongside celebrating the director of press, Mrs Ofie Kenechukwu’s retirement and 60th birthday.

Adamu said deliberate misinformation about the bill as well as personal interest of others had been the major setbacks to passing the law, adding that some people have decided to kick against it for their selfish motives.

He said many of those criticising the bill had not even seen the content nor read its provisions.

The minister described the bill as an amalgamation of the existing water resources laws in line with current global trends and best practices in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

He said its passage will no doubt ensure the nation’s water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved and managed in a sustainable manner for the benefits of all Nigerians.

Recall that the proposed bill was re-presented for passage by the ministry but was rejected by the 9th National Assembly due to its assumed controversial disposition.

Meanwhile, he attested that there is no regret regarding the bill’s non passage.

“We are aggressive about it because we take our job seriously, everything we do we don’t take it lightly. We are doing it because we have the responsibility to improve the water system for our country. so, I have not lost hope in the National Assembly regarding the passage.

“I have no regrets. We did what we did in the best interest of the people but people chose to politicise it. As far as I know, the story is not finished, the bill is before the National Assembly, and it is left to them to decide what to do with it.  “But the good news is as I have said several times before, 96% of that bill is already existing,” he added.

However, Adamu expressed fulfillment on the successes recorded in the water sector, considering the fact that about 116 abandoned projects were inherited by his administration out of which some had already been completed, and others are in the process of completion.

He pointed to lack of sufficient resources, budget acquisition, outbreak of Covid-19, and cooperation among tiers of government as setbacks to achieving the set target. “But in all, we haven’t done bad.”

On what to expect from the incoming minister, he advised the new administration to continue the task assiduously knowing that the water sector is a continuous process. “We deliberately put a roadmap for 15yrs, i.e 2016 to 2030. This is because you cannot have a snapshot in water resources, it’s a continuous process.”

On her part, Kenechukwu said leadership was not about title but about giving and galvanizing resources for the benefits of the citizenry.

With the presentation of a resource book titled: “The President’s Water Minister 2015-2023, Milestones of Engr. Suleiman Adamu” to the minister, she thanked everyone who made her 35 years in service a memorable and fulfilling one.