The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the Ninth National Assembly to step down consideration of the National Water Resources Bill.
According to a Monday statement signed by its President, Ayuba Wabba, the union said that the Bill was an attempt to ambush Nigerians.
Wabba queried the rationale behind the reintroduction of the Bill which was stepped down by the Eighth National Assembly in 2018 after Nigerians raised concerns over its implications.
Recall that Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom also criticised the reintroduction of the Water Resources Bill.
Ortom said that the Bill which seeks to bring all water sources (surface and underground) as well as river banks under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies was anti-federalism and negates the right of Nigerians to their God-given resources.
He added that it was a disguised land-grabbing legislation designed to grant herdsmen unhindered access to river basins, adjacent marine and coastal environments across the country.
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Wabba alleged, quoting information in the public domain, that the National Assembly leadership was working surreptitiously with vested interests outside the assembly to pass the bill without due legislative process.
“Although the National Assembly is constitutionally vested with law-making, we warn against the National Assembly ambushing Nigerians.
“We equally warn against legislative abuse or betrayal of Nigerians as this is what it will amount to if the bill is passed or caused to be passed without public engagement and scrutiny. Already, the sentiments expressed against this bill are too grave to be brushed off,” the NLC President said.
He further advised against resurrecting the Bill in light of the criticisms from Nigerians across the nation and abroad.
“In the light of this, we state unambiguously that the National Assembly should listen to the voice of reason by resting this bill.
“As a pan-Nigerian organisation, we would continue to work assiduously for unity, development, justice and accountable leadership,” Wabba stated.