The Association of Water-well Drilling Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government, international organisations and NGOs to collaborate with the association to improve water supply.
Mr Micheal Ale, National President of the association, said this at an inauguration of AWDROP, Abuja Chapter in Abuja.
Ale also called on government and other relevant organisations to assist in ensuring efficient water supply as well as promote social, economic and environmental benefits in the country.
He said that the support would also improve human health, livelihood, food and energy supply and sustainable economic growth in the country.
Ale emphasised on the importance of using efficient resources to improve sustainability, especially in water sector, to enable government play key role in climate change adaptation in the country.
He stressed the need to manage the large groundwater storage of most aquifers as a strategic reserve to be used with surface sources to improve water supply security.
Aquifer refers to a layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel through which ground water flows, containing enough water to supply wells and springs.
“ To achieve this, monitoring, assessment, management and protection of groundwater must be improved.
“Applied research programmes, commissioned to increase the understanding of key hydro-geologic processes and political and public awareness of the critical role of groundwater, should greatly improve.
“ This means that, it will be very important to undertake detailed economic and technical evaluations of operations of private organisations supplying water for public consumption.
“This is necessary to ensure how it can be better harmonised with utility water, sanitation services and investments.
“The association is undertaking some of these activities so, we call on the development partners, government and the private financial institutions to support our cause.’’ he said.
Ale said that the inauguration of AWDROP, Abuja chapter, would strongly improve water supply security as well as reducing quacks in drilling of boreholes in the FCT.
He also said that the inauguration would increase cordial working relationship between the association and the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission and other relevant stakeholders in the FCT.
He, however, advised the members of the inaugurated body to work in unity to promote water sector in the territory as well as other states of the federation.
Mr Sola Itamakinde, Co-coordinator of the chapter, commended the association for the inauguration, adding that the effort would boost activities in drilling industry and improve water sector.
Itamakinde promised that the chapter would ensure effective realisation of the mandate and vision of the association.
Over 200 members were inaugurated during the occasion
