Business is booming.

C/River moves to regulate water sector after 13-year legal vacuum

 

By Abbas Nazil

The Cross River State government has announced plans to bring long-overdue regulation to its water sector, which has operated for over 13 years without a legal framework.

The decision was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement meeting held in Calabar, organized by the State Ministry of Water Resources and the Cross River State Water Board Limited.

Officials emphasized the urgency of restoring order and ensuring fairness, quality, and environmental sustainability in water service delivery.

At the event, State Commissioner for Water Resources, Barrister Bassey Mensah, described the current water situation in the state as deeply troubling, stressing that the scale of the problem is far beyond what the government can handle alone.

He appealed to private investors and relevant stakeholders for collaboration in reviving and reforming the sector.

Highlighting the overdependence on boreholes, Mensah cited the case of Water Board Estate, where over 100 boreholes serve just 120 households.

He warned that such uncontrolled drilling poses significant threats to the environment and the underground water table.

Mensah stated that the recently passed Water Law, which was assented to by the governor, marks a turning point in Cross River’s water management history.

He affirmed that years of neglect and exploitation must now give way to proper oversight and accountability.

“Let no one think the honeymoon will continue. We have deliberately refused to do what is right in the past, but now, there will be consequences,” he declared.

He also accused some water service providers of engaging in sharp practices that deny consumers value for money.

“People pay for services and don’t get value; I am a victim too. I won’t mention names, but I will go after them,” he complained.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Okon Ita, provided context for the new law, noting that unlike other sectors such as health, education, and transportation, the water sector had operated without any regulatory backing for more than a decade.

He emphasized that the Water Law was passed to protect public health and ensure the delivery of safe water to residents.

He pointed out that many people consume contaminated water without realizing the risks, with recurrent typhoid fever often being a telltale sign of unsafe water sources.

To address these concerns, Ita announced that the Ministry will commence quality assessments of all existing boreholes within the next three months.

He urged all water practitioners to register and comply with the newly established standards. Regulation, he clarified, is not intended to stifle private enterprise but to ensure quality control and equitable access.

He stressed that public safety and service reliability must be central to the sector’s future.

Chairman of the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN), Cross River Chapter, Prince Edem, called for government support in the form of training, incentives, and continuous dialogue to improve professionalism within the sector.

He affirmed that the association is willing to cooperate with the government to enhance service delivery and safeguard water resources.

All speakers at the meeting agreed that the reforms are aimed not at excluding private actors but at creating a transparent, fair, and safe water supply system for the people of Cross River.

The new regulatory approach is expected to usher in a new era of accountability, environmental protection, and improved public health through clean water access.

below content

Quality journalism costs money. Today, we’re asking that you support us to do more. Support our work by sending in your donations.

The donation can be made directly into NatureNews Account below

Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria

0609085876

NatureNews Online

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More