Ogun govt. tells borehole drillers to seek permission before operation

In its bid to regulate groundwater extraction in the State and protect the environment from any for of degradation, the Ogun State Government has told industries to obtain permit from the Ministry of Environment before drilling boreholes.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye through his Media Aide, Mrs. Nofisat Alapoti, made this known during an inspection tour of some table water production industries in the state.
Oyeleye, who was represented by the Head, Water Regulatory Unit monitoring team, Mrs. Mary Adeosun, said that it was imperative to monitor water production facilities to ensure that water being extracted from the ground for commercial purposes was clean and safe for human consumption.
“Consumption of unregulated ground water could cause serious health challenge and can be transmitted to other people in our environment. This is why Industries are called upon to get permit before drilling groundwater for commercial usage,” he affirmed.
He advised industries that have existing boreholes without a licence to get one from the Ministry, as those who fail to comply would be sanctioned and their industries sealed off for any production of water.
The Commissioner said the government cared for the people of the state and therefore would not relent in its effort to regulate water production at all levels.
In his response, a water resources expert, Mr. Wale Adebayo said the government decision to regularise extraction of ground water was a welcome idea, adding that it would check mate illegal drilling which could cause environmental degradation/hazard.