Osun Coalition Calls on Adeleke to Review Borehole Drilling Permit Policy

…Describes policy as unfair, anti- masses

…Says govt failed to provide accessible clean water to masses

By Ismeel kolapo

A coalition of concerned citizens in Osun State has called on the government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke to review its borehole drilling permit policy, describing the new move as unfair, anti-masses, and extortion.

The group alleged that the policy was introduced by the Osun State Water Regulatory Commission, stating that the policy will place a burden on residents.

In a petition addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke on August 29, 2025, signed by the group Secretary Hassan Tobi stated that drilling boreholes has become a necessity due to the government’s failure to provide accessible clean water to the people.

The coalition raised concerns about the involvement of a private consultant in the collection of revenue for the government.

‎According to the petition, We express our deep concerns and objections to the new policy on drilling permits for boreholes introduced by the Osun State Commissioner for Water Resources, as published in the Nigeria Tribune Newspaper dated 28/08/2025, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Osun State Water Regulatory Commission. This policy requires individuals and companies to obtain drilling permits and pay fees for drilling boreholes, which we believe is unfair, extortionate, and burdensome.
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‎”Historically, the past government’s failure to provide adequate and accessible clean water to the public has led to individuals taking it upon themselves to drill boreholes to meet the public water needs which is one of basic necessity of life.This is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is unfair to expect individuals to pay for a permit to access a basic necessity like water when the government has failed to fulfill its responsibility. For instance, in Osun State, over 70% of households rely on boreholes as their primary source of water due to the inadequacy of government-provided water supply and improper provision of the the agency that provide water.
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“The policy is extortionate and burdensome, requiring individuals and companies to pay for a permit to drill boreholes, which is a basic necessity. The potential permit fee of ₦50,000 per borehole is exorbitant and will further exacerbate the financial burden on citizens.

“The government has failed to provide adequate and accessible clean water to the public, leading to individuals taking matters into their own hands. This policy will only worsen the situation, as individuals will be forced to bear the cost of accessing water which is unfair and anti-masses policy
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‎”Why should individuals and companies that have already paid various direct and indirect taxes be required to pay for a permit to access water, while the government fails to provide it? This is an unfair and extortionate practice that will further impoverish citizens.

‎”Why should the government involve private consultants in revenue collection, bypassing the Government Revenue Board and Internal Revenue Board? This undermines the role of these boards and creates unnecessary bureaucracy.
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“‎Furthermore, Lack of Government Support recently has been no intervention from the government to empower or improve the working system or add machinery to practitioners in the industry. This lack of support shows that the industry has been left unattended to, and the government’s only interest is in generating revenue from the sector without adding anything to them. It is unfair to expect practitioners to pay for permits and fees when they are not receiving any support or benefits from the government.
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‎”The most concerning aspect of this policy is that all the burden will be placed on the citizens, who are already struggling to access clean water. The professionals and practitioners in the industry will not bear the brunt of this policy, but rather, it will be the individuals who are trying their best to cover up for the lapses of the government. This is an unfair and unjust policy that will further exacerbate the suffering of citizens.
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‎”We are calling on Osun State government to repeal this policy because it will lead to increased financial burden on citizens, particularly low-income households, who are already struggling to access clean water. This will increase poverty rate and inequality, and undermine the government’s efforts to improve the standard of living of its citizens as promised during the electoral process
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‎”We urge the government to reconsider this policy and the prioritize the needs of it’s citizens and continue to fulfill their electoral promises. We believe that this policy is unfair, anti- masses, poverty-filled and extortionate, and we demand that the government take immediate action to address our concerns. The government must prioritize the provision of basic necessities like water, rather than imposing additional financial burdens on citizens

“We humbly appeal to your conscience as a father and a peaceful personality, that this policy may be perceived as a wrong political move. Your opponents may use this move to undermine your humanitarian score within the general public. Water is a gift from nature, and sourcing it should not be allowed to increase the burden of the public, especially when most citizens are already on the edge. We urge you to consider the long-term implications of this policy on your legacy and the well-being of your people.”
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