Israel Umoh
Alarmed by the re-introduction of National Water Resources Bill to National Assembly, Akwa Ibom people in the Nigeria’s South South region have vehemently rejected its deliberation and passage into law.
The state which boasts of Atlantic Ocean, rivers and streams sits on huge deposits of natural resources derivable majorly from water resources hence payment of the 13 per cent crude oil derivation on-shore/off-shore-oil dichotomy to the state.
The decision was part of the communiqué issued at the end of a one-day meeting by Open Forum held at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 on the focus: National Water Resources Bill: An Analysis of its Implications for the People of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
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The meeting which was convened by Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono (MKO), Productivity Advocate and Founder/President, Open Forum was presided over by Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko Local Government Area on behalf Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
The Bill, aimed at conferring ownership, control and management of surface and underground waters on the Federal Government, was seen by the participants as an affront on the sensibilities of the people.
In 2017, the Federal Government sent the National Water Resources Bill to the National Assembly requesting for passage into law, but the 8th National Assembly jettisoned it on September 29, 2021.
The Federal Government of Nigeria re-submitted the Bill in 2022, which was roundly rejected by Nigerians in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, lawmakers in the House of Representatives embarked on first reading of the same Bill which was represented to the Legislature by the Executive, and sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli of Katsina State.
The registered Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with interest in citizenship education and enlightenment as well as non-partisan intellectual dialogue between servant-leaders and citizens for state and national development, collaborated with Royal Fathers, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Adaha Ibibio (Ibibio Elders Forum), Oro Think Tank, Ibibio Peoples Congress (USA) Inc, Ibibio Academics Roundtable, and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Others included Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Akwa Ibom Elderly Citizens Assembly (AKECA), Centre for Leadership Development and Conflict Resolution, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, Afigh Iwaad Ekid, Nto Annang Foundation, Eastern Obolo Consultative Forum, South South Study Group, Odudu Ibibio, and Advocacy for Good Followership.
The rest were Leadership, Justice and Peace Initiative (AGFOLJAP), Asang Nsit Development Association (ANADA), Veterans Voice Initiative, Ibom Patriots, Akwa Ibom Spiritual Fathers Forum, Ekid Union, Nigerian Good Governance Group, Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) Oro Liberation Youth Movement, and The Akwa Ibom Project.
The communiqué in which Mr. Israel Umoh served as the Chairman, communiqué Drafting Committee and signed by 75 personalities from different cultural bodies and professional organisations in the state described the Bill as oppressive, draconian, obnoxious and anti-people targeted at Akwa Ibom State, the Niger Delta Region as the owner of more water bodies in Nigeria.
It also described the Bill as a complete misplacement of priorities and a deliberate attempt to deprive the people of the Niger-Delta region and other coastal States resources freely given to them by God.
‘‘The Bill is indirectly against the abrogation of the on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy that had been abrogated by the National Assembly leading to payment of 13 percent oil derivation to oil producing states.
‘‘The bill contravenes the provisions of Sections 17 and 20 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended),’’ it observed.
The participants were worried that the passage of the bill will force many Niger Delta people whose main occupation is fishing into joblessness, deny the people access to their natural resources and eventually turn them into slaves in their fatherland.
They lamented the non-chalant attitude of many state actors in Akwa Ibom, Niger Delta and Nigeria by failing to take a definite stand against the oppressive Bill.
They viewed the sustained insistence of the Federal Government on passing the contentious Bill as a likely attempt at enforcing RUGA settlements through the back door with possible security consequences on erstwhile peaceful communities of Akwa Ibom, Niger Delta and other places.
‘‘The Water Bill is an obnoxious and offending act that will cause monumental hardship and unrest among the people.
‘‘The audacity to contemplate the return of the twice rejected Bill to the National Assembly is emboldened by the success of other obnoxious policies.
‘‘The auspices provided by the 8th Open Forum Town Hall Meeting afforded participants opportunity to be briefed on the self determination case instituted at an Abuja Federal High Court by a northern group against the Federal Government over the Biafrans and other self-determination agitators in the country which also affects Akwa Ibom State and the patriotic efforts of Ibom Peoples Movement (IPM) to join the suit.
‘‘If Ibom Peoples Movement (IPM), led by Prof Offiong Aqua did not join the suit, the surreptitious inclusion of Akwa Ibom territory in the map of the proposed Biafra Republic would have spelt doom to the people of Akwa Ibom depending on the outcome of the case as they would have been forced into what they did not want,’’ the communiqué noted.
The participants, therefore, declared ‘‘That, the serial attempts by the Federal Government and some visible and invisible individuals and interest groups within and outside the National Assembly to reintroduce the twice rejected National Water Resources Bill was an attempt to further expand the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government whereas, the dominant issue on how to reposition Nigeria is the practice of true federalism through devolution of powers to states as federating units.
‘‘That all Paramount Rulers in their respective domains should summon to their palaces all members of the National Assembly representing their areas to take a position to forestall the passage of the Bill.
‘‘That citizens, traditional, religious, political leaders, civil unions, socio-cultural organizations, student, professionals bodies, etc are enjoined to adopt all peaceful and constitutional means available to ensure the anti-people’s Water Bill does not see the light of the day as was the case in 8th Assembly when it was rejected twice.
‘‘That, a high-powered delegation of Paramount Rulers, the leadership of Open Forum, heads of collaborating organizations should as a matter of urgency seek audience and meet with His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State to officially present the communiqué of the 8th Open Forum Town Hall Meeting for his adoption and immediate action in the interest of the people and land of Akwa Ibom State.
‘‘That, the National Assembly members from the Niger-Delta region and other coastal States in Nigeria, irrespective of political affiliations, should rise against the proposed Water Resources Bill being put forward for the third time for consideration at the National Assembly.
‘‘That royal fathers, stakeholders and other interest groups should be prepared to stage a massive protest to the National Assembly at Abuja to kick against the obnoxious National Water Resources Bill.
‘‘That the people should intensify the demand for the practice true federalism which distills into devolution of powers with attendant progress, healthy competition for development, security and well-being of the people, states, regions and country.
‘‘That, the statement in the media credited to the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu that the obviously anti-people, anti-federal structure and anti-peaceful coexistence National Water Resources Bill MUST be passed into Law under his watch as Minister is not only provocative and inciting, but an open threat to the peaceful coexistence of all sections of the country.
‘‘That, given the ongoing law suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja over agitations for self-determination, Akwa Ibom is NOT part of proposed Biafra Republic. Our land and people are part of Nigeria. However, in event of actualization self-determination, Akwa Ibom which is enormously endowed with human and natural resources shall be a country of its own,’’ the communiqué added.
