The Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN), has called on the 9th National Assembly to quickly pass the Water Bill to help regulate the water sector in the country.
Mr Francis Uzoma, BODAN National President made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja.
Uzoma said the passage of the bill would help to sanitise the water industry in the country.
“We have been working with government on the pending water bill in the National Assembly.
“So, to regulate that sector government needs the association to help them regulate the sector. That is what part of the bill is about; you have to take a license to drill.
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“To drill a borehole, you must take a license; you must know that boreholes are not dug close to soak ways, among others.
“You are also supposed to run a water test after drilling. You are also to submit a technical water report and there must be a design for every borehole.
“So, if you are not well learned in drilling of a borehole then you cannot submit a report, ” he said.
He said that if the 9th Assembly would use its office to pass the bill, it would assist the association to check quackery in the system.
He said that there had been technology improvement through the association collaboration with the Indians and the Koreans that came in the country with their rigs- drilling machine.
Uzoma noted that the collaboration had improved the quality of employment for young Nigerians in the sector.
“A lot of our boys have been trained by these people on how to operate and manage those rigs effectively.
“If you go around you will see that it is Nigerians that are handling the rigs and not the foreigners.
“Nigerians also have started acquiring those rigs but in that sector, we still have a problem. We have not trained enough man power to maintain and improve on our locally made rigs.
“The association is also putting more effort in building man power in maintenance, rig development and management by Nigeria,” he said.
He however called for more collaboration with the government in the sector. (NAN)