Nigeria GWP team visits Parliament, advocate passage of water resources Bill

The Global Water Partnership-Nigeria team recently visited the National Assembly to pay an advocacy visit on the Senate Committee Chairman on Water Resources, Sen. Uballi Shittu and the House Committee Chairman on Water Resources, Hon. Aliyu Pategi.
Due to the strategic importance of the meeting, Sen. Uballi Shittu sought the approval of the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawal to be part of the meeting. The advocacy visit is aimed at sensitizing the National Assembly on the activities of GWP and also pleads for the accelerated passage of the National Water Resources Bill.
The leader of the delegation, Mr Moses Beckley, chair of GWP-N, and Director General of Nigeria Hydrological and Sanitation Agency (NIHSA) was accompanied by the Executive Dir. Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Mr. Reuben A. Habu, The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna state Water Regulatory Commission, Dr Bashir Dogara, Former CD NIWRMC, Engr. Jimoh and the GWP-N secretary, Engr Sule Peter.
The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawal in his response applauded GWP-N for the giant strides taken to ensuring sustainable use of the nation’s water resources and promised that the Water Resources Bill before the senate will be given a speedy attention on the Senators return from their recess.
The Chair of GWP Nigeria, Mr. Moses Beckley, reiterated the benefits of water Resources Bill to the country. He stated that using the Integrated Water Resources Management approach, the regulations in the sector will control indiscriminate activities going on and ensure sustainability. He cited inadequate budgetary allocation as a drawback facing the sector. He therefore solicited for more funds to be allocated in the Management of the Sector. He further identified draw backs in the sector as poor data base management, institutions with conflicting mandates which makes them referees and players in the same field, thus creating problems of accountability and transparency.
The ED NIWRMC, Mr. Reuben Habu speaking on the speedy passage of the Bill said “the Bill when signed into Law will greatly enhance effective water governance for the good of all. It will also rescue Nigeria from the foreseeable water crisis”.
The Chairman House committee on water resources, Hon. Aliyu Ameh Pategi in his response appreciated the GWP team for their advocacy visit and support in the management of water resources, and stressed on the importance of water in the socio economic development of the nation. He informed the team that the new water Bill which is top most on their priorities and is expected to address numerous problems facing the water sector, is currently being worked on. He charged them to go back and look at the grey areas and makes necessary amendments and input towards third reading.