The National President of the Nigeria Borehole Drillers Association, also known as Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Engr Michael Ale, has raised the alarm that many private borehole operators are taking advantage of the growing scarcity of water in many parts of the country to exploit Nigerians.
Ale also said many unlicensed private drilling operators have begun charging exorbitant fees for their services to the detriment of Nigerians, though he attributed the unwholesome development to the nation’s current economic challenges leading to rising costs of drilling tools, such as casings and fuel.
The expert, who lamented the alarming rate at which operators charge clients, urged government to urgently come to the aide of citizens by subsidising the cost of providing alternative water sources, especially during the current pandemic.
He warned private operators to desist from deliberate extortion and further urged government to get rid of unlicensed private operators currently populating the water resources industry.
Ale, who had earlier decried a rising scarcity of water in the country, proffered other workable solutions to the challenge.
Addressing the government on the need for urgent intervention, he added: “Many water schemes projects from government and agencies should be critically reviewed, if not, the projects are bound to fail.
”Many operators are not licensed to sell water, so, if water vending caused illness, the citizen has the right to approach the court of law.
“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 e.g Casings. Invariably, the cost of drilling is high, which is mounting more pressure on government to provide water.”
“States battling with water scarcity include Abuja, Taraba, lmo, Bauchi. My call to development partners is to make a concerted effort in making sure the programme for result project they are supporting is sustainable.”
Proffering more solutions to the challenges, Ale, who informed newsmen about efforts being made by his association, AWDROP, to curb the wanton extortion against Nigerians, assured that professional drillers’ register will soon be opened so Nigerians will know who to patronize.
He further said: “Finally, decentralized water supply system is geared towards locations where there is no 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.”