Overview

The document is the Water Use and Licence Regulations, 2016, issued under the Water Resources Act (Cap. W2 LFN 2004) of Nigeria. It was published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (No. 164, Lagos, 2nd February 2016, Vol. 103) as Government Notice No. 120. The regulations were made by Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, in exercise of powers conferred by Section 19 of the Act, with commencement date 21st January 2016. The regulations are structured into five parts: Part I (Objective and Water Rights) sets the objectives to protect, conserve, and control water resources for equitable and sustainable development, and defines the right to use water and its relationship with land tenure. Part II (Registration and Licensing) details licensable activities, water use registration (including pre-existing uses), application procedures (forms, additional information, notification, publication), withdrawal, approval/refusal, allotment of catchment registration numbers, and annual publication of licensees. Part III (Amendment, Renewal and Transfer of Licence) covers amendment, renewal, transfer, extension of tenure, suspension, cancellation, withdrawal, payment of fees, rehearing/appeals, and water use charges. Part IV (Offences and Penalties) addresses offences and penalties. Part V (Miscellaneous) includes interpretation and citation. Seven schedules provide forms for licence application, amendment, renewal, tenure extension, designation of water bodies, table of fees/tariffs, and water use charges. The regulations aim to ensure allocation, supply, and distribution of water resources, promote best practices, and ensure that licensees and water service providers meet technical, social, and commercial standards.

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