I TOLD NIGERIANS THAT CONTROVERSIAL WATER RESOURCE BILL WILL NOT FLY..... ONUESOKE

 

"Passing that controversial water Resources Bill 2020 would have been the trigger"..... Onuesoke warns sponsors.

...Condemns the sponsors of the controversial Bill, describing it as “One Bill that will not fly”.

The decision of the Federal House of Representatives to withdraw the very controversial ‘Water Resources Bill’ has been applauded by a prominent chieftain of the Delta state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Sunny Onuesoke.

Onuesoke, arguably one of the most consistent political commentators from the Niger delta axis had, earlier on condemned the sponsors of the controversial Bill, describing it as “one Bill that will not fly”.

Onuesoke, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, applauded the decision of the Honourable Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila directing that the Water Resources Bill 2020 be withdrawn, describing it as one Bill too contentious and unacceptable to nigerians.

In the statement, Chief Onuesoke disclosed that the contentious portions of the bill which seek to transfer control of lands from states to the Federal Government, had attracted criticisms from stakeholders as it failed to, convincingly, provide a clear picture of its purpose by its sponsors.

The PDP chieftain restated his position that the contentious Bill lacked Due Process, as those who were behind the Bill, especially, the sponsor of the Bill; sponsor of the Bill, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), were desperate to use every available means to ensure the passage of the Bill and its consent into law by the Executive.

Onuesoke, a former gubernatorial aspirant in delta state who has remained a consistent voice in criticizing identified and contentious portions of the bill, commended the representative from Benue state, Benjamin Mzondu (PDP) for raising the motion seeking withdrawal of the bill.

He applauded Hon. Mzondu for standing his ground while making his presentation, under Matter of Privilege, as he cited Order 6, Rule 1(1), 2 and 3, arguing forcefully against transmission of the bill to the Senate.

He warned that the Bill, unambiguous and tainted as it is, should not be allowed to return to the floor of the House as he implored all members of the PDP to ensure that such Bills are not allowed to be smuggled in, in future.

He noted that “Section 13 of the Bill provides that “in implementing the principles under subsection (2) of this section, the institutions established under this Act shall promote integrated water resources management and the coordinated management of land and water resources, surface water and ground water resources, river basins and adjacent marine and coastal environment and upstream and downstream interests”.

Section 2(1) of the Bill caps it all, saying, “all surface water and ground water, wherever it occurs, is a resource common to all people,” which means that the affected states will become no man’s land”.

Onuesoke, an environmental expert, warned that passing that bill would have been the trigger to an already tensed country and commended all true lovers of democracy for standing up against the controversial bill that had earlier being thrown out by the 8^th Assembly.

He enjoined the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly; members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to remain ever vigilant to the antics of some misguided few, who want to ensure that the country goes up in flames.

Reacting to questions on Nigeria’s 60^th Independence Anniversary, Chief Onuesoke said the call for restructuring of the nation has become necessary to align it with current developments that have seen the country divided along religious and sentimental lines.