Scarcity of Water, as Oyo Borehole Drillers Raises Alarm

The Nigerian Borehole Drillers Association (NBDA) has raised the alarm of looming scarcity of safe water and possible health dangers it will constitute in the country.

NBDA also known as Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners & Practitioners (AWDROP) raised the alarm in Ibadan Wednesday through its president, Michael Ale, in a statement made available to newsmen.

Ale stated that the looming scarcity might not be unconnected with the current economic hardship in the country, warning about the looming dangers of exposing vulnerable citizens to health risks of consuming unclean water.

“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,” he said.

The association president said the looming water scarcity may be more pronounced in Abuja, Taraba, imo, Bauchi and other states where scarcity of water is endemic.”

Ale said the cause is traceable to high cost of drilling which mounts pressure on government to provide potable water for its citizens, pointing out that the looming water scarcity has given rise to individuals and corporate organisations patronising unprofessional drillers which degenerate to haphazard drillings, while many operators engage in dubious acts.

“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.”