NLC warns National Assembly against passing Water Bill
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday warned the National Assembly against resurrecting or cause to be passed into law the Water Bill due to the danger it portends to national unity.
The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said passing the bill would mean that the National Assembly members are misusing their power against the will of the people.
“Although the National Assembly is constitutionally vested with law-making, we warn against the National Assembly ambushing Nigerians,” he said.
Wabba alleged that the information in the public domain has it that the National Assembly leadership is working surreptitiously with vested interests outside the Assembly anxious to pass the bill without due legislative process.
He said, “We equally warn against legislative abuse or betrayal of Nigerians as this is what it will amount to if the bill is passed or caused to be passed without public engagement and scrutiny. “Already, the sentiments expressed against this bill are too grave to be brushed off.”
He said the Congress could recall that the bill was rejected in 2018 with very good reasons.
The NLC President expressed that though there is no law against re-presentation of a killed or rejected bill, he maintained that given the strong sentiments expressed against the bill from practically all sections of the country, labour would strongly advise that the bill should not be resurrected.
“We have in our hands at the moment enough challenges to court fresh and costly controversy,” he said.
He emphasized that though, legislation is one of the three constitutional functions of the National Assembly, it should not be a licence to dictatorship but a representation of the will, aspirations and sensitivities of the populace.
He stated, “In light of this, we state unambiguously that the National Assembly should listen to the voice of reason by resting this bill.
“As a pan-Nigerian organisation, we would continue to work assiduously for unity, development, justice and accountable leadership.”
