Commission To License Borehole Drillers, Soon

The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission intends to issue permits and  licensces for borehole drilling  when fully established by law, an official has said.

Mr Razak Jimoh, the Coordinating Director of the Commission disclosed this in an interview with newsmen last  Wednesday in Abuja.

The bill for the establishment of the Commission was sent to the National Assembly in September 2008. The two chambers of the National Assembly had since passed and harmonised the executive bill awaiting the president’s assent.

According to Jimoh, any person or institution that engages in borehole drilling for commercial purposes will have to obtain licence from this Commission.

“We are going to be involved in issuing licences for the development of water resources infrastructure. If you want to construct a hydraulic structure like dam to store water, you have to get permit; so we are going to be issuing licences.

“Also, if you want to sink boreholes for commercial purposes, you have to get licence from this Commission.

“We discovered that across the country, everybody is drilling borehole and there is no control; there is no regulation.

“If care is not taken, a situation will be reached where there will be over extraction of ground water; where there will be groundwater overdraft, which means that we are not planning for future generations.’’

Jimoh explained that a team of experts would survey all sites to confirm their suitability for drilling of boreholes in order to get quality and save drinking water.

“Some of the ground water may have high nitrate or sodium content, so we have to satisfy ourselves that the requirements are met before we grant the permit or issue licence for such boreholes.

“Borehole operators would be given safety guidelines for the protection of the environment so that would take care of the problems and depth at which they can get suitable water,’’ he said.

He said the Commission would recommend water treatment and offer directions on drilling and water development.

Our correspondent  reports that the world conference on sustainable development in 2002 mandated all member countries to produce integrated water resources management strategies and efficiency plans.

The Commission has the mandate of managing water resources and acting as a regulatory agency in the country.

It will be accountable for all policies, planning and management of both ground and surface water when backed by law.