News
Water Resources Bill Will Generate More Income For Government, Says Ale
. calls for non politicization of bill
A Sustainable Development Expert (SDG) and Founder, CEO of Global Initiative for Nigeria Development (GIND) Development, Engr Michael Ale has called on Nigerians to shun the call for the withdrawal of the Water Resources bill by various political and sociolo cultural groups as many are just reacting without critical understanding of the content of the proposed Water bill currently at the National Assembly.
Engr Ale made this call while featuring on an Ibadan based radio station programme on Thursday.
He explained that Nigerians should not put political reason why the water bill should not be passed adding that each state can come up with their bill just like the recently launched Operation Amotekun in the south west.
The Sustainable Development Expert said if the bill is to be amended, some portion of the bill that has been greeeted with controversy should be expunged, then a replica of the bill should be enacted at the state level by the state assemblies with the establishment of a regulatory commission at their level.
“if anyone want to abstract the water should get a permit this is non sacrosanct.
Why should just some part of a bill which has been greeted with controversy because of the political marauding now makes the whole document invaluable. It’s like throwing away the baby with bath water.
In line with the International best practices, water law is important for protection of our water resources, just like we have laws governing airspace and land activities in the International best practices.
The former world bank consultant on water to the World Bank further explained that the current practice along the water sector is the Integrated Water Resources Management Commission which requires that the water Resources must be Governed and Managed well for the sake of sustainable and equitable use of common Resources by all, irrespective of political affiliations, race, gender and sociology cultural belief and interpretations.
He stated that current political atmosphere and the bad naming of the bill is creating unnecessary apprehension in the political terrains leading to misconceptions and distortions of the process that has gone through a legislative proceedings.”
“If the portion of the bill can be amended not all the content of the bill, it isn’t perfect as far as am concern because it has been trailed with controversy, if it has not been trailed with controversy and not misinterpreted then it is a perfect deal, but federal government can come from everywhere all over Nigeria and take over the land”
“When many are asking for the drop of the proposed bill, then they can also ask for federal government to stay away from their developmental project like water, roads, markets and other projects being executed by Government. Those interpreting the bill don’t even have the authority to do so.”
It is a pity this bill is coming at a later time because of the denigrate effect of the water and the consequences of our economic mistrust.
Imagine if petroleum regulatory bill is coming at this time, am so sure it will not pass. What is not regulated cannot be termed to be economically important. Water is both social and economic goods, it’s a human right and must be protected.
“Water Resources is causing war in some countries now, imagine the flooding we experience yearly and nothing has been done on curbing it, this bill gives direction on who takes responsibility and how things are done in the properly.
Let’s take the critical look at the petroleum industry.”
“For example, federal government control who establishes petrol stations and state government is still part of that activities that has to do with establishment of petrol station, do we have any controversy over that? There could be synergy between federal and state government on this.”
“Recently, just about two weeks ago, on the main road, somebody was drilling on the main street of Sabo in Oyo State causing vehicular gridlock preventing Nigerians from their means of livelihood, when there is no law, what do you expect? imaging that most of these bottling industries have been abstracting the common Resources which belongs to you and I free without any guideline on replenishment or guiding principle to give back to the operating community thus making billions of dollars yearly without any recourse to the source for its protection.
Engr Ale said the state government and federal government should can come with permit, licensing fees, water use charges and the rest, and no need for people to attribute to Ruga, adding that Ruga is not coming through back door as many Nigerians believed.
He further disclosed that the benefit of the bill is that most practitioners would be supported by financial institutions, and it should not be all comers affair especially by foreigners who takes no interest on what happened in the enviroment as their only interest is to make dollars and send back to their countries.
“The merit is that business would grow, water quality would be protected and it prevents any earth tremor because people can control any activities they are doing and by the time they get license, governm ent are getting taxes to take care of you and I.”
“This could be an additional means where government can get money, not from the poor but for the rich that has taken advantage of activities. Let us open our eyes and read the bill very well. A lot of people that are commenting on the bill has not read the bill, they want to put political attributes to it, let’s expunged that part and let us see the activities.”
He said that the demerit is all about how the bill has been presented adding that Nigeria as a nation must allow regulations in its developmental efforts in order for it to move forward.
The global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.
Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.
However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.
Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.
Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.
Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.
Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.
The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.
Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.
With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.
Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.
Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.
A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.
The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”
The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.
Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.
The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.
The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.
It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.
According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.
The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.
“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.
“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.
He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.
According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.
“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.
The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.
It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.
It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.
The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.
Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.
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