Herdsmen: Water Assets Invoice is Ruga in disguise – Gov Ortom warns lawmakers

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has described the Nationwide Water Assets Invoice as one other Ruga aimed toward creating grazing areas for herdsmen alongside shorelines.

Ortom made the comment whereas additionally urging the Nationwide Meeting to reject the invoice within the curiosity of the nation.

The Governor stated the invoice which seeks to deliver all water sources (floor and underground) in addition to river banks underneath the management of the Federal Authorities by its companies is anti-federalism and negates the correct of Nigerians to their God-given sources.

Part 13 of the Invoice, states thus: “In implementing the ideas underneath subsection (2) of this part, the establishments established underneath this Act shall promote built-in water sources administration and the coordinated administration of land and water sources, floor water and groundwater sources, river basins and adjoining marine and coastal surroundings and upstream and downstream pursuits.”

Nonetheless, an announcement by Ortom’s spokesman, Tever Akase, described as “curious, the reintroduction of the Nationwide Water Assets Invoice, which was rejected in 2018 by the eighth Meeting.”

The assertion added: “The Governor is satisfied that these pushing for the passage of the invoice in any respect prices have a surreptitious motive which isn’t but clear to different Nigerians.

“The invoice, along with its provisions that are at variance with the Land Use Act, is a disguised land-grabbing laws designed to grant pastoralists unhindered entry to river basins, adjoining marine and coastal environments throughout the nation.

“The Governor maintains that the invoice is one other model of Ruga which goal is to create grazing areas within the 36 states of the federation for herders and their livestock.”

Ortom additionally recommended socio-cultural organizations corresponding to Afenifere, Ohaneze and Center Belt Discussion board for talking towards the reintroduction of the invoice on the Nationwide Meeting.

He appealed to federal lawmakers to behave as true representatives of the folks for the sake of posterity, and to do not forget that the future of the nation lies of their palms.

The governor suggested Senators and members of the Home of Representatives to toe the trail of honour by rejecting the Nationwide Water Assets Invoice just like the eighth Meeting did.