The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has directed that the controversial National Water Resources Bill should be re-gazetted as a sign of following due process, in order for the House to commence reconsideration of the bill.
This came after a member, Hon. Benjamin Mzondu, representing Markudi/Guwa constituency from Benue State, who sponsored the Matter of Privileges motion, raised a matter of privilege, stating that the process which led to the passage of the bill earlier by the House in July 2020 was flawed.
Mzondu, who drew the attention of the House to the breach of procedure on the Bill cited relevant sections of the House’s Standing Orders, which states that where a Bill on a particular subject matter failed to pass in the preceding assembly, it has to be re-gazetted and fresh clean copies should be transmitted to members for consideration.
He argued further that the Bill was not re-gazetted, nor clean copies made available for members, stressing that his privileges were breached, as he was ignorant of the content, as well as not in a position to educate his constituents on it.
