OYO STATE BOREHOLE DRILLERS URGES FG TO GIVE WATER SECTOR PRIORITY

Engineer Samuel Afolabi is the Oyo State Chairman of Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN) in this interview, the water expert spoke about the need for Nigerians to have access to good portable water and the need for Federal Government to give proper attention to the ministry of water resources.

What will you say as been the achievement of BODAN in Oyo State?

 Well, BODAN as achieved a lot in the last few years, because ever since BODAN came on board in Oyo State, we have been able to educate members of the public on the need for them to have their own borehole. Because water is very important and essential and that is the main reason why we are determined that BODAN will assist people living in Oyo State to have access to good portable water. BODAN has members in all the 36 states of the federation and to God be the glory, we have performed excellently in Oyo State. Most people are of the opinion that to dig a borehole is very expensive not until BODAN came on board to educate and enlighten them that digging a borehole is not as expensive as what they think. Also we have been able to reduce the price of digging a borehole from what it used to be before because we want our people to have access to good portable water. I want to tell you that a lot of people have died because of various diseases they contacted through water. With the support of the Oyo State governments BODAN as achieved a lot. We must commend and thank the state government for allowing BODAN to partner with them. People at the grass root level now have access to good portable water. Also I can tell you that to dig a borehole is now very easy. Also part of our achievements is that we have been able to organize series of seminars for our members both locally and internationally. We even have members who are not Nigerians that have brought their wealth of experience to assist us. It is just so unfortunate that some people are saying that we shouldn’t have allow them to join our association. The equipments that most of these Indians are using are more sophisticated and powerful equipments that can dig a borehole within six hours.

 What is causing crisis between BODAN and AWDROP in Oyo State?

We are doing the same business but we belong to different associations. The meaning of BODAN is Borehole Driller Association of Nigeria while the meaning of AWDROP is Association of Water well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners. In Nigeria we have freedom of association and anybody is free to belong to any association that is recognized by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is

Just so unfortunate that AWDROP is not seeing us as partners in progress because they believe that BODAN is not allowing them to make much profit again. What matters most is that we want our people to have access to good portable water. We reduce the price of digging a borehole so that most of our people can have their own personal boreholes. I can tell you that technology as gone beyond digging a single borehole for four days. With the equipment members of BODAN are having now it will take us just six hours to dig a borehole. AWDROP members should stop all this attack on our members. As am talking to you now, there is a case in court because members of AWDROP went to attack one of our members who is working on a site and we have reported the case to the police and the case is now in the court. BODAN is a registered association with the Federal Government, so we have the right to operate within Nigeria. Also we have professionals that can assist the government in rejuvenating the water sector.

 Can you shed more light on the issue between AWDROP and  BODAN?

I don’t understand what you mean by instigating and disseminating false information to the public. What happened was that one of our members was attacked by AWDROP members and we reported the case to the divisional police officer in charge of Orita Challenge division. Those people were arrested and they were charged for kidnapping. Ever since the time that we have reduced the price of borehole from what it used to be before AWDROP members have been fighting us and they see us as their enemies. I am of the opinion that AWDROP members are selfish and self centered because they don’t want Nigerians to have access to good portable water. Even members of AWDROP will collect contract at an

exorbitant amount of money and they will come and give BODAN members few token, because they know that we can dig the borehole within six hours. I want to advise AWDROP members to see BODAN members as partners in progress and let us join hands in making sure that our people have access to good portable water.

What is your advice for the federal government?

My advice is that government should know that water is very important and essential. They should allow professionals to handle the ministry of water resources so that in the next few years, Nigerians will have access to good water. Also they should collaborate with professional bodies to move the ministry of water resources forward. I believe if we all join hands together Nigerians will definitely have access to good and portable water.