This act will provide for equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria's surface and groundwater resources.
The Chairman House committee on Water, Hon. Aliyu Pategi in his welcome address stated that "the bill is very apt, as provision of potable water supply is one of the cardinal objectives of this administration as it has multi effects on the nation’s health, education and socio-economy. It is on the above premise that the public hearing was convened to gather the opinions and recommendations of the general public”. He urged all participants to make meaningful contributions to this bill, saying it is a bill that belongs to all of “us because we all use water on daily basis".
The Hon Minister of Water Resources, Hon. Suleiman Adamu in his keynote address lamented the lack of water in most states in the country saying, " Not a single city in the country can boast of 100 percent piped water". Adamu says the bill is to increase on a large-scale water and sanitation coverage of the country.
Sister ministries like Health and Transport also contributed to the debate. Stakeholders called for synergy between the states and Federal Government to scale up water and sanitation coverage in rural areas.
The public hearing is opened to non-governmental organizations and the public for inputs and useful considerations.
GWP Nigeria (GWP - N) during her last advocacy visit to the Nigeria Parliament in September called for quick action on the public hearing which today is evident by the response of the Legislators to call for the hearing.
At the public hearing, presentations were made by GWP - N alongside other NGO’S present.
In attendance were the Representative of the Honourable Speaker of the House, deputy Chief whip, Hon. Pally Isumafe Iriase, the Chairman House committee on water and other members of the committee, the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and the Permanent Secretary water, the representatives of Hon.Ministers of Transportation , Health , Power ,works and Housing, Minister of Agriculture and rural Development, NGOs , GWP-N, Development Partners , AWDROP, Borehole drillers association, representatives of Governors of Benue, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna states, NISHA, NIWRMC, NWRI, MDs of 12 River Basin Dev. Authorities, 36 State Commissioners and Civil Society groups.