The Ministry also warned that illegal borehole construction will attract a ₦100,000 fine or a six-month jail term or both.
By Emmanuel Ita
Stakeholders in the water sector, including domicile/rig owners, the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN) Unit Coordinators, and officials of the Cross River State Ministry of Water Resources, convened recently to deliberate on the regulations governing borehole drilling in the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Barr Bassey Mensah, who delivered the opening address, announced the introduction of a ₦40,000 drilling permit fee, which must be obtained before any borehole construction begins.
According to him, the fee covers mandatory site inspection, water and sanitation assessment, and other quality analysis to ensure that boreholes meet acceptable standards in line with the state’s WASH Law 2025.
The Ministry also warned that illegal borehole construction will attract a ₦100,000 fine or a six-month jail term or both.
Speaking on the benefits of the regulations, Mrs Michelle Essien, Secretary of BODAN Calabar Unit, explained that a key advantage for the public is the subsidised water quality analysis included within the permit fee.
“Ordinarily, taking water to the lab for analysis costs between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000, depending on the location. But with this regulation, the public gets a subsidised water quality analysis report at ₦15,000 within the ₦40,000 permit,” she said.
She added that the subsidy will enhance sustainability and improve public acceptance of the regulations.
The meeting also emphasised the dispute-resolution mechanism as enshrined in the Water and Sanitation Law and informed that domiciles or rig owners must now obtain drilling licenses from the regulatory department before operating in the state.
The Director of Administration, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Williams Agba, stated that the regulation would help curb the proliferation of unsafe boreholes and water sources.
He noted that many boreholes drilled without the Ministry’s supervision are contaminated. “The registration is perfect,” he added.
Stakeholders agreed that the widespread practice of drilling without proper documentation has hindered monitoring and enforcement of best practices and standards in borehole construction, stressing that the new policy will help address these gaps and strengthen the sector.
Closing the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Okon Ita, urged all BODAN units to support full implementation of the permit system. He noted that the regulation aligns with the WASH Policy and the State Water and Sanitation Law, both of which aim to ensure that water consumed by the public meets safety standards and helps prevent outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases in Cross River State.
