With regards to the reported Water Resources Bill sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Nigerian Senate, seeking to concentrate the control of rivers and water resources on the Central Government, the said bill does not only negate the agitation for restructuring, but it is also provocative, unfair, unjust, obnoxious and a crude assault on the spirit of federalism at a time when the calls for devolution of power have reached the crescendo.
With the evident fact that the entire South-South region is surrounded by rivers, creeks, streams and waters from the ocean, which is why it is referred to as the Delta region because a Delta is defined as an area of low, flat land shaped like a triangle, where a river splits and spreads out into several branches before entering the sea; we would then realize why this Bill is nothing short of broad day light robbery by the Federal Government to further impoverish the people of the South-South region.
This is hinged on a lot of factors, top most on the list is the fact that the Federal Government is seeking to have control over the lives of the people of the South-South region, whose daily livelihood and economic activities are tied to their natural habitat of waters, rivers and creeks.
The importance of the rivers, creeks, and water areas of the South-South region cannot be overemphasized because it is like the livewire of every-aspect of the lives of the people from that region. These water areas of the South-South, are where the colonial masters were using to export raw materials from the Delta region wharfs of Nigeria to Europe and America, to feed their home factories. Back then, there were vibrant western companies like John holt, Africa Trading Company (ATC), UAC, etc. In other words, the delta region is the most important region economically to Nigeria. Just like the River Nile of ancient history was important to the Egypt, as it was said by ancient historians that “no River Nile, no Egypt”; that is how the River Niger of the Delta region is to Nigeria.
Is President Buhari seeking to mortgage the South-South region with this obnoxious bill? The Delta region is the natural and native homes of the South-South people of Nigeria, hence they deserve to be in control of their place. Why is the Federal Government under President Buhari seeking to have control over the waters in the region? Are the South-South people in the Delta region not entitled to their own life and control their territorial waters? Why is the Federal Government trying to force them into modern slavery or neocolonialism by seeking to forcefully take over their natural/native birth place?
It is evident that those around President Buhari as his aides and cabinet members, are telling him what he wants to hear so as to be in his good books, but they are nothing but the enemies of Nigeria. We join our voice with many other well-meaning stakeholders in the country, to demand that this so-called Water Resources bill should be withdrawn with immediate effect, as it is nothing short of recipe for crises. It will create a wrong signal to the people about this present Government and its intentions for the region and country.
The South-South/Delta region has been the one providing the resources and wealth used in feeding the entire 36 States of the country plus the Federal Capital territory, Abuja. It is the oil and gas wealth from the region that is used all these years for the execution of all Federal Government projects, payment of salaries/allowances of President Buhari and his officials, as well as all the members of the National Assembly. This also covers all the Nigerian Government officials, Nigerian Security Operatives of the Army, the Navy, the Airforce, the Police, the Civil Defense Corp, the FRSC, etc., at all levels. These Government Institutions cannot survive without the oil and gas wealth from the South-South region. So, if the South-South region is the area producing the resources/wealth that is used in feeding all the Nigerian politicians flying their agbada and Babaringa, then why are the people of the South-South being treated so unfairly and unjustly by the Government of the day?
The Land Use Act and other similar laws, have given the Federal Government practically control over the lands in the country, the Federal Government also controls the resources underneath these lands, now they are also seeking to have control over the waters, rivers and creeks around the South-South region. Why is the Federal Government trying to concentrate everything and control same from at the Centre? Why is the Federal Government overburdening itself with so much power and control to dominate everything? What then is evident of us as a nation, practicing a Federal System of Government? What then is left for the State and Council Governments to oversee?
What is even more appalling is the fact that the Court of Appeal had already settled this matter, which we thought that the Presidency should have been guided by it. We are referring to the Appeal Court judgment of July 18, 2017, which ruled inter alia that: “The inland waterways within Lagos State are not and cannot by any stretch of interpretation be covered by any item on the exclusive legislative list under part one to the second schedule of the constitution.”
The truth is that Federal Government under President Buhari should not undermine or take for granted – the patience of the people in the Delta region with this their reckless and ill-advised proposed water resources bill. If President Buhari should doubt what we have said about the South-South region and its importance to the economic wellbeing of the nation, then he should ask the NNPC and all the other Multinational and indigenous oil companies and gas to stay away from the oil and gas exploration and production in the region for one week. We are certain the entire Nigerian economy will crash and President Buhari will not be able to fund Nigerian embassies abroad and his usual trips abroad. In other words, President Buhari should realize the relevance and importance of the South-South region and as such, he should not test the will of South-South people.
There are far important and outdated bills, which the Federal Government and members of the National Assembly should be busy with in seeking to have them reviewed to better the lives of Nigerians, and not this so-called Water Resources bill. The said Water Resources bill is not only anti-delta region people, but also a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. President Buhari should be advised not to test the will of the Delta region people with this provocative bill sent to the Senate. The said Water Resources Bill should be withdrawn and thrown away.
