JUMADA-AWWAL 3, 1429 A.H.
FRIDAY, MAY 9 2008
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FG set to review water sector laws
From MUSTAPHA SAYE, Kaduna
Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna state has said that the federal government through the FederalMinistry of Agriculture and Water Resources is in the process of reviewing the existing laws in water sector of the country
Speaking yesterday at the opening ceremony of the state Consultative Conference on the Draft National Water Resources Bill, held at Banquet Hall, Hassan Katsina House, Kaduna, the governor said that the measure was aimed at ensuring better management and efficient delivery of services for enhanced socio-economic develpment
Governor Namadi who was represented bythe commissioner for local government affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Yaro Farakwai, said ‘’water is a commodity essential for the sustenance of not only our lives but the environment in which we live.’’
According to him, on recent times, there has been much discussion about climate change or global warming adding that ‘’ the effects of this on our water resources are far reaching and the warning signals are being sounded loudly that our planet is indeed in peril’’
He said it was therefore imperative for the country to enact appropriate laws to meet up with these challenges so that water will be made available in a sustainable way and not only for the present generation, but for those yet to come.
Earliar in his address, the state’s commissioner of water resources, Hon. Tsahiru Bako, said as an essential part of the reform process the national water resources law was being reviewed to ensure effective implementation of the national water policy so as to meet up with yearning s of the people of this nation
He exaplained that the review of national water law is being supported by the European Union. He then called for input from various stakeholders in the water sector before it was forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and passage in to law.
Hon. Bako stated that towards the end of last year, consultations were held in six geo- political zones of the country following which states were advised to hold similar consultations and forward their observations and inputs to the ministry of agriculture and water resources, pointing out that ‘’the intention of this extensive consultation is to ensure that the national water resources law is nationally acceptable document that will ensure effiecient management and rapid development in the water sector.’’
