National Water Resources Bill not a New Law, Says Adamu
Among the number of reasons the United States Government had revoked the visas of some Nigerians traveling to the US might have been because of overstaying the period of admission, applying for asylum in another country, and working without proper authorisation.
This was indicated in an email correspondence THISDAY had with the US Embassy in Nigeria during the week.
According to the American embassy’s spokesman, Russell Brooks, a visa already granted to a Nigerian traveler can be revoked if there were reasons to do so.
“With regard to our general policy, the Department of State does review visa issuances when information comes to light that results in a finding that the individual no longer qualifies for the visa and based on that information, the visa will be revoked. There are a number of reasons for a visa revocation including overstaying the period of admission, applying for asylum in another country, and working without proper authorisation. If a visa is revoked, the US Mission will attempt to notify the individual but there is no obligation to inform the individual as to why the visa was revoked,” Brooks said.
He, however, stated that individuals whose visas were revoked might re-apply if they desired to do so and their application would be considered again for eligibility to enter into the US.
Though the embassy official refused to disclose the reasons some Nigerians’ US visas were revoked recently, he said Nigerian travelers with legitimate reasons to travel and had not flouted the American laws on previous visits were always welcome to the country.
“Visa decisions are based on individual qualifications and the cases are considered confidential. Nigerian travelers are welcome in the United States. The fact that the consular sections in Lagos and Abuja are the busiest on the continent and rank among the busiest in the world speaks to the closeness of the relationship between our two countries and the fondness that Nigerians have for the United States.
Following the transmission of the National Water Resources Bill by the Executive to the National Assembly for consideration, the Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu , has disclosed that the Bill “is not a new law; rather it an amalgamation of Water Resources Laws that have been in existence since 2004.
Adamu disclosed that the Bill was drafted in 2006 and passed through a series of consultations among stakeholders up to 2008, but received no priority attention by successive administrations
He explained that the laws which include “Water resources laws that have been in existence since 2004, the Water Resources Act, the River Basin Development Authority Act, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency EstablishmentAct and the National Water Resources Institute Act 2004 are being re-enacted with necessary modifications in the new Bill to actualise current global trends and best practices in Integrated Water Resources management
The Overall objective according Adamu “is geared towards efficient management of the water resources sector for the economic development of the well-0being of its citizens
Interestingly,” the Bill which was drafted in 2006 was passed by the House of Representatives November 30, 2017, passing through a series of consultations among stakeholders up to 2008, since which time it received no priority attention by successive administrations” said Adamu.
The Minister said “the Bill provides for the creation of an enabling environment for public and private sector investment. The Bill also provides for capacity building processes to foster good governance whilst establishing a water use and licensing framework to ensure sustainable financing for water sector development from tariffs including creation of an enabling climate for increased private sector participation in service delivery under Public Private Partnership Management contracts”