• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

‘Finally?’ Rowdy session at NASS as Reps withdraws National Water Resources Bill

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
September 29, 2020
in General
0
HouseofReps3
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

The House of Representatives has withdrawn its controversial National Water Resources Bill, 2020.

The House was thrown into a turmoil on Tuesday, while considering a Matter of Privilege, raised by Rep. Benjamin Mzondu (PDP-Benue) to be heard on the contentious National Water Resources Bill, 2020.

Mzondu’s motion sought the withdrawal of the Bill, owing to the public outcry against it and its breach of House’ Rules.

In presenting his Matter of Privilege, Rep. Mzondu cited Order 6, Rule 1(1), 2 and 3, as he argued forcefully, against the transmission of the Bill to the Senate and its finally becoming law.

According to him, “I wish to refer to Order 6, Rule 1(1), 2 and 3 and Order 12, Rule 18 to state that I was deprived of my legislative Privilege of sighting a gazetted copy of the National Water Resources BillHB 921, and such could not participate in the consideration of the report by the Committee of the Whole, which also deprived me of my rights and privilege of representation to my people.

“Mr. Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, it is in the effort to eliminate the “Element of Surprise”, that the House in its wisdom, included in its Standing Rule, that every Bill, must be gazetted or clean copies circulated. It is important to note that the word emphasized here, is “gazette”, which means appearing in the Bills Journal of the House.

“The words used are clear and unambiguous, they ought to be given their ordinary meaning, as stated.

“Mr. Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, I was misled by the use of order 12, Rule 18 of our Standing Orders. Mr. Speaker, Hon. Colleagues, it is an issue of law and procedure, and Hon. Speaker, the onus of interpretation, lies with you. Where the Bill was labeled as Bill 2020, it was not considered as such.

“The laws lay, on your shoulder to interpret these rules as stated in Order 7 Rule 1(7). It is important to emphasize that I have painstakingly searched through all the journals of the House, and cannot find where the Bill is gazetted and I stand to be challenged or corrected.

“The next question for your consideration, Hon. Speaker, deals with jurisdiction, whether the House such powers to entertain a bill, such proceedings become a nullity, ab initio no matter how conducted and decided”.

” So having not met this condition, I wish to move, relying on Order8 Rule 8 and the above-stated rules, that “The House do rescind/expunge its decision of 23rd July 2020, which adopted the National Water Resources Bill, 2020 HB921 to have been read the Third time from our records”.

His latter prayers were granted, after a prolonged debate from both sides of the legislative divide, as the Speaker ordered for the withdrawal of Bill.

“Fundamental issues have been raised by Hon. Mzondu. He has backed them up, with a clear language, that such bills, must be re-gazetted”, Gbajabiamila said.

While the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Idris Wase who argued against Mzondu’s position, stressed that the Bill followed due process in its passage.

Wase’s argument was buttressed by the sponsor of the Bill, Rep. Sada Soli(APC-Katsina), and the Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Rep.Hassan Fulata(APC-Jigawa).

Lawmakers, led by Rep. Kingsley Chinda(PDP-Rivers), however, put up a strong defense for Mzondu’s submission, leading to the decision of the Speaker to Order for the withdrawal of the Bill, for a fresh gazetting.

Recall that the same Bill which was earlier introduced as Executive Bill was killed in the Senate, but passed in the House. The instrument, however, couldn’t be retransmitted to the Senate for Senate’s concurrence before the 8th Assembly lapsed.

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
otunba victor profile picture scaled
Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.


Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Posts

godstv 19 jpg
General

Naira Marley releases controversial video to promote new single (Watch)

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
May 11, 2023
VAT rate remains 7.5% in Nigeria
General

Finance Minister confirms VAT rate remains at 7.5%

by Oreoluwa Ojelabi
September 9, 2024
Otunba Gbenga Daniel freelanews
General

Senator Gbenga Daniel’s Ijebu State creation bill passes first reading

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
November 27, 2024
acpn jpg
General

Pharmacy association elects new leaders

by Quadri Olaitan
September 4, 2023
lamido sanusi
General

‘Right thing to do’ Fmr Kano emir supports FG on subsidy removal

by Freelanews
September 5, 2020

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Makinde

Makinde receives strong push for 2027 presidential bid

October 8, 2025
Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun

Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun remembered with love

September 14, 2025
Taylor Swift deepfake scandal

Taylor Swift faces deepfake scandal as Swifties call for stricter regulation

January 25, 2024
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

0
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

0
Meran Primary Health Centre

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

0
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

0
Makinde

Makinde receives strong push for 2027 presidential bid

October 8, 2025
Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
October 2025
MTWTFSS
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Editor’s Pick

  • OGD vs DA
    OGD vs DA: The real story never told
    • August 22, 2025
  • Toyota Sienna harassment
    Why is Lagos State govt harassing Toyota Sienna users?
    • August 19, 2025
  • Otunba Gbenga Daniel
    Who really is Otunba Gbenga Daniel?
    • August 18, 2025

Hot!

Makinde

Makinde receives strong push for 2027 presidential bid

October 8, 2025
Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Total
0
Share
0
0
0
0
0
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading