No To Water Resources Bill Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum Tells Buhari

THE Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, has accused the Federal Government of clandestine moves to revive the rejected Water Resources Bill, warning that such agenda would be inimical to the growth and development of the country.

Leaders of the forum have equally faulted the replacement of Mr. Silas Agara, a Christian with Nasiru Isa, a Muslim, as National Population Commission, NPC, chairman.

In a statement by South-south leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Ohanaeze leader, Chief John Nwodo, and Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus:

“The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum is, once again, impressed with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue for showing how a Governor should be responsive to the plight of his people under repression with his latest statement on the obnoxious, vexatious and divisive overwork the Buhari government is doing for herdsmen its devious plan on water resources bill.

“The Governor insisted that the bill which sought to bring all water sources (surface and underground) as well as river banks under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies was anti-federalism and also negated the right of Nigerians to their God-given resources. He further observed that Section 13 of the Bill, states thus:

‘In implementing the principles under subsection (2) of this section, the institutions established under this Act shall promote integrated water resources management and the coordinated management of land and water resources, surface water and groundwater resources, river basins and adjacent marine and coastal environment and upstream and downstream interests.’