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| Prof. Bolaji Aluko presenting certificate to one of the service providers |
…Issues licenses, Certificates to 25 Service Providers
The Ekiti State Government has issued licenses and certificates to no fewer than 25 borehole service providers and rig managers across the State as part of steps to ensure compliance to water sanitation laws in the State.
Presenting the certificates and licenses in Ado Ekiti at a programme oragnised by the State Water and Sanitation Regulatory Agency (EKWSRA), the overseer Commissioner in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko stated that borehole drilling in Nigeria has been poorly regulated for a very long time hence the unethical and unprofessional practices by drillers.
Aluko who noted that water regulation is a global best practice which would help curb “high prevalent water borne diseases, disclosed that the licensing of drillers was a requisite under the Ekiti State Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) law 2022.
Announcing that the government would not condone quackery in the water drilling sector, the overseer Commissioner said it has now become the policy of the state government to patronize only EKWASRA –licensed drillers.
“Let me inform you that very soon, a government circular will be issued on all government procurement of borehole in Ekiti State. Henceforth, as a requirement, all government borehole contracts must be handled by EKSWASRA licensed drillers. This is in a way to encourage and develop our indigenous drillers”.
“To this end, I wish to appreciate the present administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi, the borehole drillers associations namely; Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN), Association of Well Water Driller and Rig Owners Practitioners (AWDROP) and Association of Gorundwater Explorationists (AGE) for their understanding and cooperation. This is a departure from the norm, as the saying goes, change is inevitable, growth is optional but we all have to grow”, Aluko said.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Engr Olumide Ajayi said as the demands for water increase, water managers and policy makers must pay careful attention to both groundwater quality and quantity.
Ajayi stressed that the issuance of licenses and certificates to water drillers in the State was a testimony of “our collective commitment towards improving the management of groundwater.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary of the State Water and Sanitation Regulatory Agency, Engr Ayodele Osalade hailed the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for the approval of the 2020 WASH policy and the signing into law of the 2021 WASH law.
Osalade stated that the issuance of licenses to drillers was to ensure the regulation of activities of drillers and the quality of their services to the satisfaction of their customers.
The Secretary explained that the inauguration of a taskforce and reconciliation committee was to ensure compliance to the WASH law and bring about global best practice in the sector.
In their goodwill messages, the representatives of the various associations hailed the government for the step which is aimed at protecting both the drillers and their customers.
The State chairman of the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Dr Funke Adeyanju thanked the government for the step which she described as a way of ensuring that people who do not have access to potable water now have access to it.
Adeyanju however cautioned against water wastage; saying that in a couple of years, the quantity of groundwater which humanity would have access to may be limited.
Members of the taskforce inaugurated at the event which marked the 2022 world water day are Engr Peace Ogunluyi, Jude Victor, Bukola Ogungbade, David BODAN, Adekunle Owoeye, F.R Akuete, and Sulaiman Esq representing the Ministry of Justice.
Others are Sanya Akinwumi representing the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and Ibrahim Kabiru representing the Nigerian Police.
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