BY ADOLPHUS DURU
The foremost socio cultural organisation of the Ibibio ethnic nationality, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has urged Governors and National Assembly members from the Niger Delta region and sister coastal states irrespective of political affiliations, to rise against the proposed Water Resources Bill.
In a communique issued at the end of its Central Working Committee meeting held at its international headquarters in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital in South-South Nigeria, the organisation described the proposed Bill as “evil, repressive, a complete misplacement of priorities and an attempt to deprive the people of the Niger Delta region and coastal states resources freely given to them by God and by such action, further impoverish them”.
The organisation stated in the communique that a bill which aims to confer ownership, control and management of surface and underground waters on the Federal Government, like what is obtainable in petroleum resources, was an affront to the sensibilities of its people which must be rejected and fought with all available constitutional means to ensure it died a natural death.
Recall that the bill was first introduced as Ruga but failed to sail through. Federal Government again brought back the same bill but as Water Resources Bill. The aim of the bill is to make rivers and river banks exclusive properties of the federal government against the interest of communities whose forefathers bequeathed the resources to.
ADVERTISEMENTS
