Korede Abdullah 
CROSS RIVER, Nigeria – Borehole operators working without government approval in Cross River State could face fines, closure or prosecution as the state begins enforcing new Water, Sanitation and Hygiene regulations.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Obol Moses Osogi, announced the enforcement in Calabar on Tuesday, warning drilling companies, water suppliers and other operators to obtain the required registration, licences and permits or risk sanctions.
The government said the crackdown followed growing concerns over indiscriminate borehole drilling, unregistered operators and violations of technical standards across the state.
Osogi warned that poorly regulated borehole projects could threaten public health, contaminate groundwater and damage the environment.
Under the enforcement regime, drilling companies, consultants, developers, institutions and water service providers must obtain approval from the Ministry of Water Resources before drilling, rehabilitating boreholes or installing water infrastructure.
Proposed boreholes must also undergo geophysical and geological investigations before drilling.
Operators are required to use approved methods and materials, follow proper casing and grouting procedures and conduct water-quality tests before commissioning projects.
They must also maintain drilling logs, pumping-test records and completion reports, while drilling waste must be disposed of safely to prevent groundwater contamination.
Osogi said monitoring, inspection and compliance checks would be intensified across the state in collaboration with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
He said the exercise was intended to sanitise the water sector, protect consumers and groundwater resources and strengthen the state’s WASH system rather than frustrate legitimate businesses. “Safe water is not negotiable. Public health is not optional. Compliance is mandatory,” Osogi said.
About the Author
Hope Ajayi 
Oluwatobi Adu 