The house of representatives has withdrawn the water
resources bill it had already passed, following criticisms that have trailed
the legislative decision.
At Tuesday’s plenary, Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker, ruled
that the bill should be withdrawn and brought back to on a later date for
“proper” consideration.
The proposed law seeks to establish an act that would
provide a regulatory framework for Nigeria’s water resources sector.
Although it was rejected in the previous assembly, it was reintroduced
in the house as an executive bill in July and passed under controversial
circumstances.
Many groups and Nigerians, including Wole Soyinka, Nobel
Laureate, have kicked against it, arguing that it gives the federal government
undue control over the water resources.
On Tuesday, Benjamin Mzondu from Benue state raised concerns
over the controversial nature of the bill which he said he had no input in.
The lawmaker argued that he did not have the opportunity to
sight the gazetted copy of the bill and hence, was deprived of his right to
contribute to its debate.
“I was misled by the
use of order 12, rule 18 of our standing orders. It is an issue of law and
procedure and honourable speaker, the onus of interpretation, lies on you,” he
said.
“Where the bill was labelled as bill 2020, it was not
considered as such … it is important to emphasize that I have painstakingly
searched through all the journals of the house, and cannot find where the bill
is gazetted and I stand to be challenged or corrected.
“The next question for your consideration deals with
jurisdiction, whether the house has such powers to entertain a bill. Such
proceedings become a nullity, ab initio no matter how conducted and decided.
“So, having not met this condition, I wish to move that the
house do rescind/expunge its decision of 23rd July 2020, which adopted the
National Water Resources Bill, 2020 HB921, to have been read the third time
from our records.”
Some of his colleagues agreed with his submission and sought
that the passage of the bill should be revoked and reintroduced for
consideration.
Kingsley Chinda from Rivers state spoke of the need to
reflect the interest of Nigerians and consider the issues raised before the
bill is transmitted to the president for assent.
In his ruling, Gbajabiamila stood down the bill and asked
the rules and business committee to work on it and reintroduce it in the floor
of the house to follow “the right process.”
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