Badagry monarchs kick against reintroduction of Water Resources Bill
Say bill may threaten co-existence
The Badagry Traditional Council has kicked against the reintroduction of the rejected “Water Resources Bill” being considered by the House of Representatives, saying it will further threaten the unity of the country.
The monarchs maintained that the bill was an affront and a deliberate encroachment of the ancestral land and heritage, which made the Eighth Assembly kicked against it.
Oba Akran of Badagry, De Aholu Menu-Toyi, who spoke with journalists in Badagry, bemoaned what he described as inconsistencies and contradictions in the bill with existing judicial pronouncement and provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He said it was important for the public to know that the legislation is a template for conflict, as it will be a conquest for resource (natural) control; land and water.
The monarchs, therefore, urged Nigerians to be aware of executive rascality through brazen disregard to the rule of law and judiciary.
The Oba Akran of Badagry said: “Governor Duoye Diri was unequivocal when the Federal Government delegation visited him recently. The Bayelsa State Governor told the delegation that the water resources bill was unnecessary and an attempt to further create more tension.
“Diri stated that while the people of Nigeria are clamouring for a restructuring that will devolve more powers to the state, the Federal Government is attempting to create more problems through the bill that was thrown out by the Eighth National Assembly, wondering why the FG is so fixated about the bill.”
“We resist any form of land grabbing by some persons or group of persons by the Federal Government through the legislation. The proposed bill is to serve the interest and purpose of Fulani herders. We kick against any delineation and boundary adjustment without recourse to the provisions of law.”
Bale Tohon Badagry, Baale Adeoye Soti, who kicked against the bill, said it would be a big slap on the face of an average Nigerian in the grassroots.
He said: “We don’t want the bill. We want the Federal Government to stop it, as it will make nonsense of our tradition. If we want a peaceful co-existence, then it must be stopped.”
