Ogun State government unveils plans for borehole drilling licences, permits

The Ogun State government has unveiled plans to formulate policies to control and regulate activities of boreholes drillers, manufacturers and owners of boreholes for commercial purposes.

Under the proposed Water Abstraction Control Scheme, the State would provide platform for data gathering on the various groundwater abstraction facilities, either existing ones or those to be drilled in the future and issue permit to them without any sub-charge.

The State’s Commissioner of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye who spoke at a Stakeholders Meeting on “Introduction of Water Abstraction Control Scheme”, organised by the ministry said: “The scheme will also provide for continuous monitoring of the quality of water coming out of the aquifers and the quantity of the abstraction system.”

His words, “The licences and permits will impose relevant and appropriate responsibilities on borehole owners in order to make them exploit the wells sustainably and with the full knowledge that the groundwater resources is not theirs to abuse at will.”

The Commissioner called for dialogue between government and stakeholders in the water industry on the best ways groundwater resources could be conserved and protected to prevent future environmental disaster.

He urged stakeholders to support and cooperate with the government to ensure full implementation of the scheme, assuring that the State would continue to provide enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his speech lamented the exploitation of the groundwater resources by unqualified borehole drillers and called for the urgent need to control and regulate their activities to safeguard residents of the State from the consequences of their activities.

Amosun who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga said henceforth the State would sub-charge owners of boreholes for commercial and industrial purposes.

The State Chairman of the Association of Water Drillers and Rig Owners, Mr. Wole Adekoya commended the initiative of the government by introducing the scheme, saying the scheme was long overdue.

He enjoined members of his association to cooperate with the State to have a vibrant water policy.

Stakeholders at the meeting included, the National President of the Association of Table Water Producers, Mrs. Clementine Atebe, her counterpart in the State, Mr. Adebayo Joda, representatives of the State chapter of Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Tayo Adelaja.