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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has declared a total war on illegal borehole drilling, warning that unlicensed operators will now face fines, closure and prosecution.
The warning was issued by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Obol Moses Osogi, in a press statement on Monday.
Osogi said government was alarmed by the rising rate of indiscriminate drilling by unregistered operators who violate technical standards.
According to him, the activities pose serious threats to public health, groundwater resources and the environment.
“The era of operating without accountability in the water sector is over,” the Commissioner declared.
Under the new enforcement order, all drilling companies, consultants, developers and water service providers must be registered and licensed by the Ministry of Water Resources before any drilling, rehabilitation or installation.
The government also banned any borehole project without a permit from the Ministry.
“Operators are now mandated to conduct geological investigations before drilling, use standard materials, follow proper casing procedures and carry out compulsory water quality testing before commissioning.
“They must also submit drilling logs, pumping test records and completion reports”, the Commissioner said.
Osogi said enforcement teams will be deployed across the state to identify and prosecute violators, including those falsifying records or endangering public safety.
He urged residents, schools, hospitals, hotels and estate developers to patronise only licensed contractors and demand evidence of registration and water quality certification.
He stressed that the exercise is not to witch-hunt legitimate businesses but to sanitise the sector and guarantee safe drinking water for citizens.
“Safe water is not negotiable. Public health is not optional. Compliance is mandatory,” he said.
