By Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State Government has made it mandatory for individuals and organisations seeking to drill boreholes in the state to obtain the necessary permits and authorisation from the Ministry of Water Resources.
The government also warned borehole drilling companies, consultants, developers, institutions and water service providers against carrying out drilling, rehabilitation, water installation and related activities without proper registration and licensing.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Moses Osogi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday while noting that the directive was part of measures to enforce Water, Sanitation and Hygiene regulations and regulate groundwater development across the state.
Osogi expressed concern over the increasing rate of indiscriminate borehole drilling, activities of unregistered operators and violations of technical standards in the water sector.
He said the proliferation of poorly regulated borehole projects could pose risks to public health, environmental sustainability and groundwater resources.
According to him, no borehole project should commence without the necessary permit or authorisation from the designated regulatory authority within the ministry.
He further directed that proposed borehole projects must undergo geophysical and geological investigations before drilling, while operators must comply with approved drilling methods and use standard materials.
Osogi added that proper well casing and grouting procedures must be followed and compulsory water quality tests conducted before any borehole is commissioned for public use.
He said service providers would also be required to maintain and submit drilling logs, pumping test records, completion reports and other technical documents as may be required by the government.
Osogi warned operators against practices capable of contaminating groundwater, directing them to adopt environmentally responsible drilling methods and ensure proper disposal of drilling waste.
The commissioner urged residents, schools, hospitals, hotels, industries, estate developers and community organisations to patronise only licensed and approved borehole contractors.
He also advised members of the public to demand evidence of registration, permits and water quality certification before engaging borehole service providers.
Osogi said enforcement teams would be deployed across the state to monitor compliance and identify violators.
He warned that individuals or organisations found drilling without authorisation, operating without registration, violating technical standards, falsifying records or endangering public water safety would face sanctions, including fines, closure of operations and prosecution where necessary.
The commissioner said the enforcement exercise was not intended to hinder legitimate businesses but to sanitise the sector, promote professionalism, protect consumers and preserve groundwater resources.
He added that the state government remained committed to national WASH objectives and Sustainable Development Goal Six on clean water and sanitation.
“The era of operating without accountability in the water sector is over,” Osogi said.
He added, “Safe water is not negotiable. Public health is not optional. Compliance is mandatory.”
