Nigeria’s National Assembly has been urged to pass the National Water Resources Bill so as to attract local and foreign direct investors for revenue generation in the country.
The Executive Director of the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Engineer Bashir Umar Magashi made the call during his courtesy visit and signing of memorandum of understanding, MOU, with Voice of Nigeria in Abuja.
Mr Magashi added that the bill is not targeted at any individual but rather to boost revenue generation for the Ministry of Water Resources and the country in general.
“We are looking at water as an economic good. Water will bring a lot of revenue to the country more than oil. We have a lot of multinational companies that are taking the ground water and surface water and not paying the government and this is not obtainable in their country.
“Nigerians are not to pay for boreholes sunk in different settlements but people that uses water in commercial quantities and industrial purposes are the ones to be targeted by the government”.
According to him the bill has been in the National Assembly for the past fifteen years and has not been passed.
Signing of MoU
While signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Voice of Nigeria, Mr Magashi said that the organisation will assist the Ministry publicise its mandate to Nigerians and people in the Diaspora.
The Executive Directive also said the MoU is to increase the commissions’ consciousness among Nigerians and the International community by creating more awareness about the policy thrust activities and achievements of NIWRMC.
“Basically the mandate of the Commission is to set standards and also to regulate water resources development in the country” Mr Magashi said.
“The aim is to sensitize and educate Nigerians and the global community for effective utilization and management of water resources in the country”, he added
He urged the National Assembly as a matter of emergency to pass the bill as it has been there for the past fifteen years.
Responding, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu appreciated the visit and also expressed the organisations readiness to partner with the Nigerian Integrated Water Resource Management Commission in carrying out its mandate for the benefit of the nation.
Emmanuel Ukoh
