Catholic Church Describes Water Bill As Obnoxious, Bemoans Effects On Citizens
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Executive Secretary Caritas Nigeria and National Director the Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, an organization of the Catholic Church, Revd. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina says the recent re-introduction of the National Water Resources Bill negates the efforts of Caritas Nigeria, which has, over the years, conscientiously provided improved, equal and equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for all citizens for public and household purposes.
He said the Bill which was first introduced in 2020, was poorly received by citizens and interest groups, given its apparent exclusion and non-consideration of states and citizens as the bill, grants the Federal Government direct control over surface and ground waters and further mandates individuals to obtain a license before they can access water – a natural resource received freely from God to meet man’s needs.
The Chief Executive Officer of Caritas Nigeria, opined that Caritas, is rattled by the implications of the legislation, which has far-reaching effects on the citizenry and violates the Catholic Church’s principle of the Common Good.
According to him, although the National Water Resources Bill guarantees citizens the right to use water, it guards against private ownership of water and if signed into law, would lead to further centralization of power and the nation’s resources, thereby countering ongoing efforts towards devolution of powers.
Moreover, Section 2(1) of the Bill, which reads, “All surface water and ground water, wherever it occurs, is a resource common to all people,” has been interpreted as assigning terrestrial water bodies and sources under the control and supvision of the federal government.
Similarly, Section 13 of the Bill, states thus: “In implementing the principles under subsection (2) of this section, the instutions established under this Act shall promote integrated water resources management and the coordinate management of land and water resources, surface water and groundwater resources, river basins and adjacent marine and coastal environment and upstream and downstream interests.”
These, he says, questions the principles of subsidiarity and inclusion; which states that a higher level of government or organizion should not perform any function or duty that can be handled more effectively
at a lower level, while inclusion emphasizes equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone especially, for those who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Revrend Father Obiechina argued that considering the significant role water plays in preventing health risks and ultimately promoting community health and Caritas’ productive partnership with individuals, communities and development partners, to ensure that people, including disadvantaged demographics, have unfettered, sustainable access to water by providing alternative sources of water like hand-pump and solar-powered boreholes, it will be best for the Federal Government to retract the legislation and prioritize public health by protecting every means possible for achieving quality water and sanitation services, including private ownership and unrestricted use of water.
He also made some recommendations including the urgent need for a comprehensive and holistic consultation with citizen groups across the board and states, to ensure that every concerned section of the populace is offered the opportunity to express their concern about the Bill an
that Federal Government through the National Assembly should concern itself with pressing
issues of poverty and hunger, unemploynent and insecurity that ravage the country rather than promoting contentious and ill-motivated legislation and that the principle of Federalism be retracted and the rights of States and Local Governments to jurisdictions as it relates to domestic water use and protection must be protected by the Federal Government.
He called on all Senators and House of Representatives members to rise and protect the rights of citizens, and amplify their freedom to control ancestral resources such as land and water.
The Church further called on all law-abiding citizens to remain peaceful and seek lawful means to redress the legislation while also advising citizens, groups and civil societies to synergise and strategically collaborate to ensure that all that can be done is done to ensure that the obnoxious Bill does not see the light of the day.
The National Director JDPC pleged their commitment to unequivocally partner with interest groups and state actors to ensure that citizens exercise their legitimate rights and continually enjoy the necessities of life.
