The Cross River State Government has initiated a major crackdown on illegal borehole drilling in the state. According to the Commissioner for Water Resources, Obol Moses Osogi, the government is alarmed by the rising rate of indiscriminate drilling by unregistered operators who violate technical standards. The activities pose serious threats to public health, groundwater resources, and the environment. The Commissioner warned that unlicensed operators will now face fines, closure, and prosecution.
The new enforcement order requires all drilling companies, consultants, developers, and water service providers to 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. This move aims to regulate the water sector and ensure that operators adhere to technical standards.
Under the new regulations, operators are 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 emphasized that the exercise is not to witch-hunt legitimate businesses but to sanitise the sector and guarantee safe drinking water for citizens.
The government has deployed enforcement teams across the state to identify and prosecute violators, including those falsifying records or endangering public safety. The Commissioner urged residents, schools, hospitals, hotels, and estate developers to patronise only licensed contractors and demand evidence of registration and water quality certification. This move is expected to ensure that citizens have access to safe drinking water.
The crackdown on illegal boreholes is part of the government's efforts to regulate the water sector and ensure public health. The Commissioner stressed that safe water is not negotiable and public health is not optional. Compliance with the new regulations is mandatory, and the government is committed to enforcing the laws. The move has been welcomed by residents who are concerned about the risks associated with unregulated borehole drilling.
The government's decision to crack down on illegal boreholes has been seen as a positive step towards ensuring the safety of citizens. The water sector has been plagued by unregulated drilling, which has led to environmental and health concerns. The new regulations are expected to bring sanity to the sector and ensure that operators adhere to technical standards. The government has assured citizens that the exercise is not meant to harass legitimate businesses.
The Cross River State Government's crackdown on illegal boreholes is set to continue, with enforcement teams deployed across the state to identify and prosecute violators. The government has urged citizens to cooperate with the enforcement teams and report any cases of unregulated drilling. The move is expected to have a positive impact on public health and the environment.
Key points
- The Cross River State Government has launched a crackdown on illegal borehole drilling, warning that unlicensed operators will face fines, closure, and prosecution.
- The new enforcement order requires all drilling companies to be registered and licensed by the Ministry of Water Resources before any drilling, rehabilitation, or installation.
- The government has deployed enforcement teams across the state to identify and prosecute violators, including those falsifying records or endangering public safety.
