The Association of Water Well Drilling Rigs Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving the regulation of water well drilling in Nigeria.
The signing ceremony took place on January 9, 2025, at NIHSA’s headquarters in Abuja and marked a significant step toward fostering sustainable groundwater development and management in the country. The MoU highlights the importance of collaboration between both organizations in sharing knowledge, data, expertise, and resources to support policy development and regulations for effective groundwater management.
Speaking at the event, NIHSA’s Director General, Arc. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, described the agreement as crucial to the agency’s mandate. He emphasized its potential to enhance access to vital data on groundwater abstraction and ensure the sustainability of borehole-based water supply systems across Nigeria.
The President of AWDROP, Prof. Ipoola Okunlola, expressed the association’s full commitment to implementing the provisions of the MoU. He praised the timing of the agreement, noting its importance in addressing the widespread issue of indiscriminate borehole drilling across the country. Such practices often disregard existing laws, including the Code of Practice for Water Well Construction (NCP027:2010) and NIS 554:2015: Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality.
Both organizations reiterated their shared commitment to advancing groundwater management practices in Nigeria, ensuring compliance with standards, and safeguarding the nation’s water resources.
