The failure of state water boards to provide water is the major cause for the proliferation of boreholes across the country, the Executive Director of Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRC) Engr. Magashi Umar Bashir, has said.
Bashir, who spoke during the working visit of the Minister of Water Resources in Abuja, pointed out that the NIWRMC, which is an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, is collaborating with borehole drilling association to curb the menace of rampant drilling of boreholes particularly in city centres.
“The commission cannot stop people from drilling boreholes in their houses. That is why you have all this proliferation of boreholes everywhere. That is also due to the fact that the Water Boards cannot provide water to the people,” he said.
The NIWRMC boss mentioned that through the Water Use Licence issued, the commission has generated N73,669,110 from the year 2020 till date.
While announcing plans to increase its revenue, he explained that the commission’s current revenue represents almost 100 per cent increase in revenues generated between 2015 and 2019.
“The commission is aware of the revenue deficit in the nation’s revenue needs and is determined to make sure that users of raw bulk water pay the appropriate charges.
“In pursuit of our enhanced revenue generation agenda, the commission has issued demand notices with expected income of N826,215,000,” he added.
He further reiterated the commission’s commitment to provide equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface and ground water resources through a water allocation plan for Upper Benue, Lower Benue, Lake Chad catchment areas.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, hailed the Commission for its giant strides in discharging its regulatory duties despite the ferocious pushback of vested interest.
Adamu pointed out that the Commission could have achieved more in terms of effective implementation of regulations of water resources if the Water Resources Bill had seen the light of the day.
He expressed concern over the politicising of the Water Bill which according to him, the refusal of lawmakers to pass the bill has deprived the nation of the reforms needed in the water sector.
He vowed to continue to pursue the bill till the very end, saying the independence of the NIWRC is crucial to harness the full benefit of the Commission.
“The bill is trying to democratise the process of Water Resources in the country. We will not relent until we will get to the bottom of this. We will continue to operate within the framework of the existing laws for now. The antagonists of the Water Bill cannot change that,” he stated.
