The National President of Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Engr. Michael Ale has appealed to the National Assembly leadership to speed up action on the passage of the Water Resources Bill into law.
Engr. Ale made the clarion call at the Stakeholders’ National Symposium on Borehole Drilling Regulation and Practioners’ Licensing in Nugeria tagged “Water Resources Bill; Implication on Borehole Drilling Contractors” held in Ibadan over the weekend.
He disclosed that it was high time the relevant ministries and agencies yielded to the executive order from the office of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to grant preference to the manufacturers of locally made goods and service providers.
Engineer Ale lamented that the influx of foreign drillers into the country is causing untold hardship for indigenous practitioners.
According to AWDROP President “the Vice President, in his acting capacity on 18th May 2017 expressed support for the local content in public procurement where the federal government directed its ministries, department and agencies to grant preference to manufacturers of locally made goods and local service providers in their procurement of goods and services”.
Engineer Ale, who was speaking on behalf of the association, submitted that the speedy passage of the water resources Bill would curb the current indiscriminate drilling which has led to uncoordinated operations in the country.
Also speaking at the symposium, the General Officer commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General CM Abraham commended the Association of Water Well Drillers and Rig Owners Practitioners for their effort in repositioning the water sector.
According to him, “the coming together of the association to discuss the Nigeria Water Resources Bill and the implication on borehole drilling is a proactive measure that will create awareness among practitioners and lead to healthy input into the bill.”
While commending the efforts of the National assembly, Major General Abraham charged honourable members to ensure the speedy passage of the bill as this will ensure that Nigeria’s water resources are protected, managed and conserved in a sustainable and equitable manner for the benefit of all.
“This symposium is not only important but also timely because the nation is facing imminent danger of underground water pollution from activities of unprofessional drilling companies and most them are not licensed to drill. If this act is not curbed by appropriate legislation and control, the country may face serious challenges in the near future” he noted.
The Army Chief also assured AWDROP of his continuous support, saying that the Nigeria Army having recognised water security as a vital component of National security, is positioning itself to be a major player in the enhancement of water resources”.
Also in his keynote address, the Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, Mr Reuben Habu spoke on Water Regulation and its implication on drilling practitioners and the general public.
Also present at the one day symposium were representatives to Executive Governor of Oyo State, Isaac Ishola, the State Commissioner for Environment, representatives from the National Water Resource Institute (NWRI) Kaduna, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) Abuja, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) Abuja, Nigeria Army 2nd Mechanized Division, Ibadan, Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command; Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps. (NSCDC); India driller Association and AWDROP State Chapters.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali and Anuoluwa Oriolowo
