By Taiwo Oluwadare
A water expert, Engr. Michael Ale has started the drilling of about one hundred water boreholes across the country.
Ale, who is the National President of Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), last year promised to drill the boreholes if Donald Trump became US President.
Addressing journalists over the weekend during the commissioning of some of the boreholes in Aiyegbaju, his hometown in Ekiti state said the commissioned water boreholes was tagged, “Okun Inu; Eye Ode”, meaning: “Inner strength; Outer beauty”.
Six boreholes have been constructed so far.
He said the project was in collaboration with his association, AWDROP and included the repairs of all abandoned dilapidated boreholes in the communities.
He said: “As you can see the pictures of Donald Trump on all constructed water boreholes in this community, this is part of my promise that if Trump wins the US presidential election, I will drill not fewer than hundred water boreholes in communities in Nigeria.
“They say Charity begins at home. Therefore, I’m starting from my hometown, Aiyegbaju in Ekiti State and to all other parts in the country. Members of AWDROP, which is under the umbrella of Drilling Practitioners in Nigeria are also supporting in this project to provide clean and safe drinking water for Nigerian populace”.
Asked if the projects were part of ground moves towards a political ambition, Ale replied: “I’m a professional today and that does not mean I can’t dabble into politics tomorrow because we are all political animals. But what is important is that, water is life and it is evident that for you to develop well, you need water in your life. And in this community where I grew up, I have stayed there without access to save drinking water for a long time.
“I want to see if this can be a model for other communities to emulate. When you make a community grow and develop in terms of water, hospital and other things, you are making greater impacts on the lives of the people and unborn generation. And I urge the intended persons to make projects like this sustainable. Parts of our sustainable plan for this project is not to make it go moribund.
Engr. Ale, a Geologist also called on government at all levels to address the menace of quackery in water sector noting that only 30 percent of the Nigerian populace have access to safe drinking water owing to the prevalence of engaging the services of quacks in borehole drilling by both government and many Nigerians.
The experts explained the consequences of the foregoing as spread of water-borne diseases and threat to healthy lifestyle of many Nigerians. He urged the government and individuals to patronise professionals in borehole drilling.
