Amidst economic hardship present a looming threat to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Nigeria as citizens are starting to feel the impact of water scarcity, the Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners & Practitioners (AWDROP), popularly known as Nigerian Borehole Drillers Association said on Wednesday.
AWDROP, also alerted the Muhammadu Buhari -led Nigerian government of water scarcity and possible health dangers occasioned by current economic hardship in the country.
President of the association, Engr. Michael Ale made this known while addressing journalists to warn of looming dangers of exposing vulnerable citizens to health risks of consuming unclean water.
Ale maintained that Abuja, Taraba, Imo, Bauchi among others, are states where scarcity of water is endemic , revealing that the cause is traceable to high cost of drilling which mounts pressure on government to provide potable water for its citizens.
He further noted that this development has given rise to individuals and corporate organizations to patronize unprofessional drillers which degenerates to haphazard drillings while many operators engage in dubious acts.
The AWDROP boss, therefore charged the government to take drastic decision to address the anomalies before it gets out of hands.
According to him, “Water scarcity is hitting many states now and the cost of drilling is getting high because of the exchange rate and the materials for borehole drilling for example, Casings. Invariably, the cost of drilling is high which is mounting more pressure on government to provide water.
“This scenario is making the vulnerable more exposed to health risk which will in turn make government spend more on health.
“My advice to the state where such instance is precarious is to have a Water Supply resilient plan where emergency response is prompt. It is important to also note that government have responsibility to make water available to the citizen that is, access to potable water at different cost human and financial as the case may inferred.
“State battling with water scarcity include Abuja, Taraba, imo, Bauchi, others and my call to development partners is to make a conceited effort in making sure the result for the program they are supporting is sustainable.
“Finally, decentralize water supply system is geared towards locations where there is not transmission pipeline hence access is still very important. This method will create employment opportunities for the youth through training of various artisans on pipe repairs and plumbing works.
“Many water operators are now extorting Nigerians because of the demand in water supply while other borehole drillers have increased their cost of drilling because of high cost of purchase of Casings for their drilling.
“Government can support the association to stem this extortion by supporting the Drillers’ association as a means to subsidy for the masses
“The association will begin profiling genuine borehole Drillers in the country and names will be published for Nigerians to know who to patronize.
“Many water schemes projects from government and agencies should be critically reviewed, if not; the projects are bound to fail.
“Let me warn the drilling rig operators to desist from haphazard jobs referred to ‘sharp sharp’. This practice is degrading our environment because of the amount of air compressed and used in drilling through the basement formation. The central Bank should also look into the Forex in the materials for Casing.
“The cost of Casing, diesel and other material has skyrocketed, government should also come to the aid of the citizen because very soon if nothing is done, Nigerians will carry placard for water. Let the operators within the water sector also stop the extortion”, Ale continued.
