The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) is set to hold their fourth conference in Ibadan.
In a press statement signed by the association’s secretary, local organizing committee, Adetunji Gbemisola Faleti and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the conference would be held in Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts from Sunday 12th to Wednesday 15th September 2021.
The statement added that the conference with the theme “WASH and Infectious Diseases (Covid 19 and Cholera), will be the first of its kind after three successful editions which were held in Oyo State, Ekiti State and the FCT, Abuja.
The statement reads: “The conference is aimed at addressing the importance of good and hygienic water in combating some infectious diseases that have ravaged the entire universe of recent.
“When the Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) came into being some nine years ago, the sole aim of the founding fathers was to institutionalize the business of borehole drilling and place it at par with many professional bodies before it. While that top echelon that was aimed for from the onset might not have been attained, the association through its visionary president, Mr. Micheal Oludare Ale has gradually and tenaciously warmed herself into the hearts of governments and their agencies at all levels and has made herself as a partner in progress in the implementation of many of the policies of government as regards provision of potable water to the Nigerian populace.
“Today, AWDROP has its presence in 27 states of Nigeria including the FCT. As the association slogan suggests: “Water is Life”, the tremendous inputs AWDROP has made in the area of provision of water has transcended business adventures as the major challenge facing many Nigerians, especially in the rural areas is lack of potable water. It is also in this direction that this year’s conference has been targeted towards addressing the need for potable water in the fight against notable infectious diseases like cholera and Covid 19.
“Aside this, lack of potable and hygienic water is threatening human and animal lives. As we all know, in this 21st century, many of our waterworks in Nigeria are in moribund situations and as a result, about 80% of source of water supply is from groundwater, called borehole water.
“Government itself, in a bid to provide this important amenity to the Nigerian citizens has also tapped into this resource called borehole water by drilling boreholes for communities and villages.
“This inadvertently has given so much attention to the borehole industry and this (like any other sector in this situation) has led to the exodus of many professionals from other disciplines into the borehole industry and an upsurge in the GDP of some Nigerians who hitherto were jobless is the resultant positive effect.
“Today, the industry now caters for the daily needs of about 10,000 Nigerians who make their living directly from borehole business, and by extension, over 100,000 homes could be said to be direct or indirect beneficiaries of this industry.
“However, since it is never in contention that the major source of water supply in Nigeria is borehole water, it is very imperative that government pays more attention to how the resource is being explored and exploited in a way that will be most beneficial to the Nigerian populace, especially in the wake of infectious diseases like cholera and Covid-19 that have ravaged the whole world. More time and votes must be given to water provision through borehole drilling than any other sector while efforts at restoring our various waterworks are gradually ongoing by appropriate agencies of government.
“This is the major concern of AWDROP as they converge on the ancient city of Ibadan for their 4th National Borehole Practitioners’ Conference and Congress and within the natural serenity of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort. The association is concerned by the suffering of many Nigerians in having access to portable water and are forced to drink whatever comes their way since water is essential to life and lack of it within the body system causes dehydration and untimely death. Like before, AWDROP is ready to partner with the government at all levels, corporate organizations, politicians and well meaning individuals in the business of provision of portable water through borehole drilling.
“The Local Organizing Committee of the Conference led by a renowned geologist, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Yusuf has been working round the clock to make this year’s conference the best conference ever, and people from all works of life (including academics, politicians, professionals, captains of industries, etc) are set to grace the conference. The Keynote lecture will be given by Prof Biodun S. Badmus of the Department of Physics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, while sub theme speakers will at the conference are Prof. Ipoola Okunlola of Alhikmah University, Ilorin, Dr. Roland A. Isibor of Ajayi Crowther University Oyo and Prof Sebastine Ngah of Rivers State University, Port- Harcourt. Part of the highlights of this year’s conference will be an Awards Nights where veterans and dedicated professionals within the drilling industry as well as eminent Nigerians will be recognized for their meritorious service to the Nigerian public through provision of basic amenities, especially potable water supply.
“The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde is going to be the Chief Host while the energetic and highly cerebral AWDROP National President, Mr. Micheal Oludare Ale is the Host of the 4-day conference”, the statement reads.
