South-South Govs Reject Buhari’s Waterways Bill

The South-South Governors Forum has rejected the waterways bill introduced by the federal government to take ownership of riverways, while backing restructuring, true federalism with powers devolved to the federating units.

The governors said for Nigeria to be stable, peaceful and prosperous, it should be restructured.

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They made this known Wednesday night after an emergency meeting convened at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, who is also the chairman of the forum.

A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Francis Ottah Agbo, said the governors faulted attempts by the federal government to own and control the waterways and their resources and activities.

In the communique which was read by Governor Dickson, the governors also resolved to press for the release to the oil producing states, the 13 percent derivation component of the $1b withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account by the FG to fight insurgency.

He said: “Because of the nature of the discussions we have had, we invited the Attorneys General of our respective states to be in attendance and we had very fruitful deliberation touching on critical national issues that affect the wellbeing and welfare, not just of our country, but principally of the people of this zone. First of all, everyone is aware of the ongoing clamour for devolution and a return to essential founding principle of this great country.

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“And we in our meeting resolved as we have been speaking over sometimes that we associate fully with the clamour for restructuring, for the clamour for true federalism and for the clamour for devolution of powers that are so concentrated at the centre to the federating units and we have agreed to support ongoing moves in that direction by working with like-minded Nigerians who mean well for the country so that we can all have a stable and prosperous and peaceful nation.

“We also agreed that the bill currently making round in the National Assembly which we understand is an executive bill on management of water resources. We are of the view that the provisions of the bill are offensive and obnoxious, we disagree with the centralized control of water resources as we are already dealing with the problem associated with over centralization of our country and we have agreed that the bill should be immediately withdrawn by the federal government and further consultations be made on that.”

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