The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) is partnering Bank of Industry (BoI) in training and re- training of its members.
The agreement was reached when AWDROP led by its National President, Michael Ale paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry Evelyn Oputu in her office.
Ale ,an Engineer expressed the Association’s readiness to explore every service the bank ready to offer for its members.
He also seek for support on the communique passed by the National Council on Water Resources (NCWR) which was held in Kaduna, and attended by all the commissioners of water resources ministry across the states and various development agencies, where the Council recognises the necessity of code of practice for Water Well construction in Nigeria and Water Well Drilling programmes.
Ale stressed further that during the meeting council approved that a National Revitalisation and Rejuvenation Programme be established with the support of the Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) in the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja for proper handling of borehole works to ensure sustainability.
He added that AWDROP as an association has the machinery of harmonising the view of stakeholders on issuance of drilling permits and effective implementation of the code of practice.
Ale urged the public to be patience with the transformation taking place within the association, as he requested every Nigerians to be patriotic by patronising only registered Nigerian water well drilling contractors alone.
According to him,we have no other country than Nigeria and no other state than our state, the gesture of patronising Nigerian drillers who are members of AWDROP will create more befitting jobs for the up-coming Nigerian youths who are graduates in the industry doing this according to Ale will make Nigeria a hub for drilling practices in Africa.
In her own remarks, the managing Director of the Bank Of Industry ,Evelyn Oputu stressed the need of the bank to assist members of AWDROP in developing their capacity and find commensurate project for members of the association that have been tested okay, so they can compete with their members in other African countries.
She mentioned the need to sanction erring members and advise members of the association to add value to their works through offering post project management and maintenance package.
Oputu promised to partner with the association by funding water projects through the AWDROP Members while members will henceforth have access to loans trough the Bank of Industry (BOI) in order to create stability and competitiveness.
By: REMI FEYISIPO
