HOUSE PASSES BILL TO ESTABLISH REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR WATER RESOURCES
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish a Regulatory Framework for the Water Resources Sector in Nigeria. The legislation which originated from the Executive was up for debate on Thursday, July 6, 2016 during plenary when the Majority leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila led the debate on the general principles of the water Resources Bill.
He stated that the Bill seeks among other things to provide for the equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria's Surface Water and Groundwater Resources and for Related Matters. He added that passing the Bill would effectively unbundle the Water Resources sector to be better positioned to create economic gains to the nation. The chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Hon. Aliyu Pategi Ahman further revealed other components of the Bill including the establishment of Water Resources Institute that would be saddled with the responsibility of research and development as it relates with Water Resources.
Another Bill which scaled second reading on the floor of the House during Thursday’s plenary was ‘a Bill for an Act to amend the Council of Ministers (Evidence) Act. According to the sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Gideon Gwani the Primary Objective of this Bill is to amend the Principal Act by substituting for the words ‘’Council of Ministers’’ with the words‘’ Executive Council of the Federation’’.
And by also substituting for the words “Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Government’’ wherever it appears in the Act with the words ‘’Secretary to the Government of the Federation’’.