AKHA Moves To Regulate Water Sector As Water Resources Bill Scales Second Reading

The ‘Akwa Ibom State Water Resources Sector Management and Regulation Bill 2022’ has passed Second Reading at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Leading debate on the Bill at Plenary on Tuesday, the Leader of the House, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan (Oruk Anam), said the Bill, when passed into Law, will provide for the development and regulation of the water sector.

He noted that the Bill will provide for the establishment of a Water Sanitation Agency, Water Council and Regulatory Commission as well as Waste water Management and other related matters.

According to the Lawmaker, “the Bill will also promote healthy water supply, especially for the increasing population of our state. it will further boost the state’s partnership with donor agencies.”

In his contribution, Dr Usoro Akpanusoh (Ibeno/Esit Eket) said the Bill will encourage partnerships with corporate agencies in the provision of hygienic and portable water to rural communities.

Dr Akpanusoh appealed to the House to give the Bill accelerated hearing and speedy passage, maintaining that it will address issues of vandalism of water pipes by oil companies.

Also speaking, the Deputy House Leader, Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan (Etinan), opined that the Bill will ensure strict supervision of borehole drilling and prevent possible natural disasters occasioned by improper drilling of boreholes in the state.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, referred the Bill to the Joint Committees on Lands and Housing and Environment for in-depth scrutiny and to report back within one month.

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