The Kwara State government said it has concluded its proposed plan to drill 968 boreholes across the state to bring water hardship drastically in the state. It also added that only registered companies would benefit from the contract as the government reinstated its commitment to regulate borehole drilling companies in the state to standardise their operations.

Speaking through the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture and Rural Water Support Services, Anu Ibiwoye disclosed this at a recent meeting with stakeholders in the water subsector and rural water supply sanitation agency (RUWASSA) recently in Ilorin. Ibiwoye also charged RUWASSA to exercise its full mandate in regulating the water subsector by ensuring that no company operated within the state without registering with RUWASSA.

He also stated that it had become imperative for government to regulate the drilling companies owing to obvious problems bordering on the lack of standardisation and due process in the operation of some members who drill boreholes which collapse within a very short time.

He also noted that it was important for government to let the stakeholders know the policy of the government and also to fashion out ways by which challenges being faced by operators could be reduced to the barest minimum. Also speaking, the general manager of RUWASSA, Mallam Ibrahim Sulyman noted that prior to the initial meeting held with stakeholders, they had received positive responses from different operators who admonished that meeting of this nature should be regular adding that the state government should set up advisory committee that would rub minds with government affecting the industry. He added that the state government would not impose any policy that would be detrimental to the activities of the driller and hence the need to carry the stakeholders along.

Responding, the president ground water development association, (GDAK) Dr I.A Okunola opined that to regulate the industry was very simple adding that aside from the local on ground water through RUWASSA, the federal government through the National Water Research Institute had already laid down some rules which stipulated what was needed to be done and that nobody was expected to drill underground without permit.

Okunola added that the government was investing into the business but results were not showing stressing that they are ready to work with RUWASSA to achieve their goal, thereby urging the government to create a platform where stakeholders and operators can engage with government.