Minister Optimistic 9th Assembly Will Pass Water Resources Bill

Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu has expressed optimism that the 9th Assembly could still pass the contentious Water Resources Bill before its end of tenure in early June.

Adamu made the assertion at a valedictory forum he had with journalists ahead of few weeks to leave office after eight years under the Buhari-led administration, where he said most of the 116 abandoned projects he took over have been completed.

The Minister maintained that the bill remained a game changer for Nigerians, if passed into law either by the 9th Assembly or the incoming 10th Assembly.

Adamu charged Nigerians to take ownership and responsibility of water projects in their communities, and not to wait for the government to do that in order for vandals not to tamper with them, and also appreciate what the government is doing for them.

“Water Resources Bill, again I have no regrets, people just politicize it as far as I know the story is not finished is still at the National Assembly, what they decide to do with it is within their prerogative.

“We have done all we need to do as executive, we have gone round to enlighten the people but the good news is like I have said other time before, 96 per cent of that bill is already existing.

“We have the best of intentions and someday, we will get there. Politicians who opposed it, you have seen where some of them have ended after the elections.

“I took the Bill to the National Assembly as a professional in the interest of Nigerians. It was just to give a little facelift and we were aggressive about it and not to offend or shortchange people, and we were doing it because we have a responsibility to improve the water resources from where we met it. Deliberate misinformation is only going to hurt Nigerians.

“If you do not want to empower the Rural Water User Associations to take charge of irrigation will find other means to that, you do not want to find a stronger regulator for the water sector, fine and good, no private capital would come in the sector and at the end of the day we are still the losers. The Bill has nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhari, they are just hurting themselves not Buhari,” he said.

Meanwhile, he commended Water Resources correspondents for elaborate coverage of the National Water Resources Bill.

“You have done your bit. We also thank you for the tremendous work you have done for us, and at least on two occasions the President said “Minister you are doing well”, it is because of what you are doing. So please keep the flag flying and I am very grateful for the support you have given me,” the Minister stated.

Scarce Resources

The Minister however pointed out that scarce resources and other factors were challenges he contended with for eight years on the saddle as Minister of Water Resources, which include bureaucracy, the Covid-19 pandemic, lack of understanding by Nigerians about the Ministry’s mandate, and others.

He also expressed joy over completion and commissioning of abandoned water projects that were started as far back in 1992, 1998 and others under his leadership.

Adamu  therefore advised the incoming Minister to ensure continuation of the projects the Ministry has stopped, because it is the responsibility of the incoming Minister as he had done, and pointed out that Water Resources projects have no end but developed in phases, and will point out projects to be completed in his handing over note.

The Minister also called on all stakeholders to take the Open Defecation-Free (ODF) campaign to grassroots.epositioning the Water Resources sector in the country.

He stressed the need for alternative sources to fund the sector and its projects, saying they were capital-intensive and that the Federal government could not fund that alone.

According to him, current efforts to rid Nigeria of public defecation will gain more momentum when they are community-based.

He saus, “The ODF message must be community-based and people-centred, this will make current efforts have lasting impact.

“The ODF blueprint is ongoing, and we want the campaigns to be in the grassroots, using radio and other means.”.

He also called for collective responsibility and ownership from all stakeholders, so that the huge investments in the sector would not go to waste.

The Director of Press and Public Relations, in the Ministry, Kenechukwu Offie, who is also exiting along with the minister after 35 years of service, said leadership was not about title, but getting resources for the benefits of citizenry.

Offie thanked the minister, as well as her colleagues for their cooperation and support during her period in service.

Highlights of the event was the formal presentation of a book, ‘The President’s Water Minister 2015-2023 Milestones of Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu’, authored by Mrs Kenechukwu Offie.

Confidence Okwuchi