Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has advised members of the National Assembly to reject the Water Resources Bill before the floor of the two chambers.
He said the bill is not in the interest of Nigerians but it is another RUGA and cattle colonies in disguise. He said the federal lawmakers should toe the part of honour and reject the bill as the 8th assembly did.
He made his position known in a tweet he made on Saturday night. The tweet reads: I urge our distinguished Senators and House of Reps members to realize that the National Water Resources Bill is not in the interest of the country. It is another version of Ruga and cattle colonies. They should toe the path of honour and reject the bill as the 8th Assembly did.”
In a swift response, Hon Godwin Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the House of Representatives and representating Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, said the position of the governor will be given consideration in the House of Representatives.
RUGA was one of the bills proposed by the federal government but it was killed by the voices of Nigerians. Nigerians, in unison, from East, West, North and South, fought against the programme, using every available resources and all media platforms.
The tension it created was overwhelming, hence the federal government had no option but to abandon the programme. It was suspended but it may be hard for the federal government to introduce the programme because it will still receive hard resistance.
