By
Dr. Martin O. Eduvie and Dr. O.A. Bamgboye
National Water Resources Institute Kaduna, Nigeria
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
1
Introduction
 In Nigeria, most rural and semi urban communities
are dependent on groundwater supplies
 This makes water well drilling, rig fabrication and
borehole supervision popular, very relevant, and
profitable
 Reported cases of borehole failures resulting from
inadequate sitting to poor construction which can be
attributed to lack of professionalism exhibited by
some Hydrogeologists, Drillers, rig fabricators and
supervisors or Consultant due to poor or limited
capacity
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
2
Need for Capacity Building
 In view of this, a lot of attention has been given to scaling up
capacity development in the drilling sector in the past few years.
 National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in institutional
assessment to identify capacity gaps in the drilling areas and
efforts carried out to improve drilling activities through various
training programmes at different levels of drilling industry and
provides a guide for achieving better capacity development in
the industry towards drilling of sustainable boreholes in the
country with improved economic impact.
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
3
CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS IN THE WATER SECTOR
Table 1: Water sector capacity assessment studies in Nigeria
S/N
Assessment Study
1
Manpower Audit of the State Water Agencies under the World Bank Assisted National Water Rehabilitation
Project (1992)
2
Training Needs Analysis for River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) by NWRI in collaboration with CMD
(1998)
3
Participatory Institutional Assessments for capacity development of WASH Institutions in 4 State RWSSAs and
11 LGAs in Nigeria by the UNICEF supported WELL/NWRI collaboration (2004). The states and LGAs were
Benue (Katsina Ala, Tarka and Ushango), Ekiti (Ekiti East, Ekiti West and Oye), Enugu (Awgu, Isi-Uzo and Nkanu
West) and Jigawa (Birniwa and Garki).
4
Participatory Institutional Assessments for capacity development of National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna
by the UNICEF supported WELL/NWRI collaboration (2004)
5
Support to the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) to Develop a Strategic Plan and Business Plan for its
Operations by Parsons Brinckerhoff Consortium, EU WSSSRP Consultant (2006)
6
National Water Resources Institute’s Roadmap for Capacity Building of State and LGA Wash Institutions by
Mohammed H. Iliyas, UNICEF Consultant (2008)
7
Training Needs Assessment in JICA focus States of Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Yobe, and Oyo States by
NWRI/JICA, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (June, 2010)
8
Participatory Institutional Assessments for Capacity Development of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene
(WASH) Institutions in 6 State RWSSAs and 12 LGAs by NWRI (2010). The states and LGAs were Adamawa
(Hong and Mayo-Belwa), Cross River (Ikom and Odukpani), Imo (Mbaitoli and Oru West), Kaduna (Giwa and
Kaura), Nasarawa (Keffi and Toto) and Osun (Ede North and Ifelodun).
9
Training Needs Analysis for Relevant Stakeholders in the Water Sector by NWRI (Feb., 2011)
10
Training Needs Assessment in Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Taraba, Niger, Ondo and Ekiti States by RWSSC/NWRI,
(June, 2011)
11
Participatory Institutional Assessment for Capacity Development of the Chad Basin Development Authority,
Maiduguri, Borno State by NWRI (November, 2011).
12
Training Needs Analysis for Stakeholders in the Water Sector by NWRI (February, 2012)
13
Training Needs Assessment in Ogun, Adamawa, Zamfara, Abia, Benue and Akwa Ibom States by NWRI (2012)
14
Skill and Training Needs Assessment in Nigerian Water Sector by NWRI in the framework of the NEPAD West
African Network of Water Centres of Excellence, (2012/13)
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Bashir & Eduvie, 2013
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
4
DRY SEASON WATER COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT
BGS©NERC June 2002
BGS©NERC June 2002
Collecting turbid water from temporary pools
Carrying water from the nearest water source
probably infested with guinea worm, SE
maybe 5 km away at the height of the dry season,
Capacity
Enhancement
of
Water
Well Drilling
Nigeria
SE Nigeria
5
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
6
To improve rural water supply and
sanitation in Nigeria…
NWRI’s activities
Establishment of
RWSSC
 Training
 Research
 Library and Documentation Services
 Technical Services
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
7
Project Outputs
Capacity
Project Purpose
Rural Water Supply and
Sanitation Centre for
Capacity Development
(RWSSC) is effectively
operated.
gaps of RWSSC (NWRI) and
RWSS stakeholders at States, LGAs and
Community levels are identified
Responsive and effective training system
(Modules, materials, and facilities, etc.) is
developed.
Trainers capacity in RWSS is enhanced
Trainings are delivered based on a PlanDo-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
Management of RWSSC is improved
Overall goal
Service delivery of rural water supply and
sanitation is improved in Nigeria
through capacity development of
stakeholders.
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Centre
(RWSSC), Functions in the drilling industry
Mission
 To be the hub for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Capacity
Development and Information Dissemination in Nigeria
Functions
 Establish and effectively manage the National Water Resources
Capacity Building Network
 Support the production and upgrading of Hydro geological maps
 Establish a National Water Resources Website accessible to all
stakeholders
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
9
Drilling operation at a site
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
10
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
11
OJT of Geophysical survey equipment (resistivity meter)
4th – 6th March
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
12
Table 2: Summary of capacity gaps in the drilling sector
ITEMS
RUWASSA areas of interest
LGAs needs
Communities needs
Advising communities on
location of water and
sanitation facilities
Better understanding of
boreholes for supervision
Knowledge
of
borehole
drilling
Rehabilitation of wells
Handpump maintenance &
Installations
Wells rehabilitation
Sanitation issues
Handpump installations
Same for
compressors
Pump
installations
rehabilitation
Handpump
installation,
operation and maintenance
Site specific groundwater study
Borehole sitting where there is no
geophysical equipments
-Simple means of resistivity graph
interpretation
-Standardized drill sample identification
-GPS and site location maps
-Data management
-Gravel pack selection and installation
-Overcoming fine sand incursions
-Overcoming circulation loss
-Borehole disinfection
-Borehole record keeping
-Drilling supervision
-Site management
-Compressor maintenance
-Workshop management
-Store keeping
-Fishing out dropped pumps
-Data management
Borehole Rehabilitation and
Maintenance
-Identifying boreholes for rehabilitation
-Procedures for borehole rehabilitation
Groundwater
techniques
Investigation
Borehole construction and
completion
Drilling
Machinery
and
Maintenance technology
LGAs
with
-Fishing out dropped pumps
-supervision of community
mechanic
-Development
of
area
mechanics
-Identifying boreholes for
rehabilitation
-Procedures for borehole
rehabilitation
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
and
-identify minor and major
repairs on handpump
-Proper use of handpump
13
Strategies for building capacities in the drilling
industry
Capacity development of Nigerians by the NWRI to manage and
develop the drilling industry has been through the following:
 Regular Courses: These are regular training courses lasting 12 to
24 months duration (Advanced
 Diploma in Hydrogeology)
 Short Courses: Skill development training courses for short
•
duration (1 day to 4 months. Eg. Drilling Technology, borehole
drilling, design and construction, borehole maintenance and
rehabilitation, groundwater geophysical techniques, rig
fabrications, handpump installation and maintenance.
 Outreach Courses: These are demand driven and on-the- job
training courses (2 days to 2 weeks)
Project Specific Trainings: Demand driven and integral parts of
borehole projects (2 days to 2 weeks) Table 3.
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
14
Project Specific Training Participants
Project Specific Trainings
Project (Supporter)
Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Project (UNICEF)
Courses
Conducted
No.
Trained
37
1,060
National Fadama Development Program (FMWR)
12
112
National Rural Water Supply Program (PTF)
10
144
Community Based Urban Dev. Project (FMW&H)
16
351
Small Town Water Supply & San. Program (EU)
54
1,058
Urban Water Supply Scheme – Azare Project (WB)
5
88
Federal Rural Water Supply & San. Program (FMWR)
62
8
851
364
187
3,916
Hygiene, Sanitation & Community Management (UNICEF)
TOTAL
Bashir and Eduvie, 2013.
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION METHODS
BGS©NERC June 2002
BGS©NERC June 2002
Geophysical surveying – using EM34
equipment at Kabale, Tanzania
Drilling a borehole for groundwater using a
Schramm down the hole hammer system, Tanzania
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
16
Youth/Self Empowerment Courses
Participation in the Youth Empowerment Courses
S/N Course
No. Trained
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total
1
Handpump Repairs & Maintenance
58
70
37
30
20
-
215
2
Household Water Managers
-
-
24
20
15
-
59
3
Certified Water Well Drilling
-
28
30
20
18
(24)
96
4
Water Well Drilling Rig Fabrication
-
16
-
12
12
(15)
40
58
114
91
82
65
Total
410
(24), (15) – On going, not added to total figure
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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RECORDING DATA DURING TEST PUMPING
© WSP-AF
BGS©NERC June 2002
Measuring the discharge rate during a low
Measuring the water level during a
yielding pumping test at Oju, SE Nigeria
pumping test at Mangochi
East,
Malawi of Water Well
Capacity
Enhancement
Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Relevant RWSSC courses
 Geophysical Investigation techniques
 Borehole Construction and Management
 Drilling Technology
 Borehole Drilling Machinery Maintenance
 Handpump Installation Operation and Maintenance
 Borehole Rehabilitation and Maintenance
 Development of Alternative Water Sources – Spring
Development, Hand Dug Well and Rainwater Harvesting
 Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion
 Community Mobilization and Management
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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SP
RESISTIVITY
GAMMA
RAY
HOLE
CALLIPER
HYDROGEOLOGIC
INTERPRETATION
SN 16”
LN 64”
Dry Sand
some caving
Clay, homogeneous
Sand,
Saline water
Clay,
Sand streaks
Freshwater Sand
Clay
Sand,
Brackish water
Idealized Log Chart showing typical Logs and their
Hydrogeologic Interpretation
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Trainings Conducted 2011 - 2013
Table5: Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Centre Courses
No. Trained
S/N
1
Course
Groundwater Investigation Techniques
2011
4
2
Borehole Construction and Management
14
3
Drilling Technology
4
Drilling machinery and maintenance
5
2012
38
-
-
Handpump Installation and Maintenance
44
6
Borehole Maintenance and Rehabilitation
34
7
Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion
38
8
Community Mobilization and Management
31
9
Water and Sanitation Information Management System
10
Community Led Total Sanitation
TOTAL
-
2013
38
20
20
20
25
29
27
Total
42
72
20
20
69
34
67
58
-
10
-
10
-
72
-
72
165
120
159
464
Eduvie, 2013
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
21
Standardization of Water well drilling rigs
fabrication
 The Institute has supported the standardization of water well drilling





rigs fabrication locally.
Field assessment visits were carried out to most local rig fabrications
workshops in different part of Nigeria.
It was noted that fabrication of water well drilling rigs locally is an
active business in Nigeria.
However these fabrications are faced with challenges, such as
sourcing rig components particularly
power heads, hydraulic pumps, control valves, hydraulic jacks, prime
movers, and adequate steel strength for most construction.
The Institute is in partnership with the National Agency for Science
and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to design, product and test
these components
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Rig Fabrication Training (9 months)
 To support the capacity of our youths on local rig fabrication,
 Developed training for unemployed Nigerian Youths who have
background in science, engineering or technology.
 The main objective of this programme is to create jobs, reduce
poverty and empowers Nigerian youths in line with the transformation
agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
 The locally fabricated rigs will enable government and citizens spend
less money on borehole drilling and other water well projects in the
country
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Trainings on Rig fabrication cont.
 The major course contents include: Elements of drilling design
and features of drilling rigs; basic geology and fundamentals of
Water Well drilling; Hand tools and machine tools; Welding
processes and Workshop practice; Material selection and
Motion/Power components of rigs; Internal Combustion Engines;
Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems; Business Organization and
Entrepreneurship; and rig assembly
 40 participants have been trained.
 Presently 15 youths are on the same training at the Institute.
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Continuing Education through subscription to
Magazines and Journals
 National Driller





http://www.drilleronline.com
Worldwide Drilling Resource
http://www.worldwidedrillingresource.com
Drilling Today
http://www.drillingtoday.com
Water Well journal
http://www.waterwelljournal.com
American Groundwater Trust
http://www.agwt.org.
Rural Water Supply Network http://www. rwsn.com
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Provision of platform for knowledge sharing
 The National conference annually organized by the NWRI, other




Seminars, Workshops and Symposium
Nigeria Association of Hydrogeologist,
Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society and
AWDROP organize annual conferences
COMEG Annual professional training programmes
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Development of National Codes of Practice for Water
Resources Development and Management
 The Institute has identified the drilling area as priority and have
developed a Code of Practice for water well construction in
Nigeria that will address the various challenges militating against
poor borehole failures in Nigeria
 Code of Practice for drilling rig fabrication is the next in the
drilling sector
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Economic Impact
 A very vibrant and sustainable drilling industry in Nigeria is
expected to increase gains for the individuals that are
trained in the drilling skills and reduce borehole failures and
increase access to water supply and sanitation facilities for
rapid and economic growth of the economy
 The impacts will also entails more availability of drilling rigs
and reduce cost of borehole in general and more people will
be served with portable water and good health for overall
economic growth of the Nigeria economy.
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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SUMMARY /CONCLUSION
 The impact of capacity building for the enhancement of the
drilling sector has been reported and the benefits outlined.
 Capacity gaps in the drilling industry has been identified
through Institutional Assessment
 Codes of Practice for Water Well Construction in Nigeria
has already been developed and approved.
 The Institute is currently in the process of developing code
of practice for Water Well Rig Fabrication.
 Finally, the there are substantial economic impact resulting
from effective training and research in the drilling – reduced
unemployment and economic enhancement
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Borehole logging to produce
productive boreholes
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Processes during Drilling, Sample Inspection &
Pumping Test
Samples
inspection
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well
Drilling Operators for Economic Impact in
Nigeria
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Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Recommendations
Training and retraining of drillers.
All Drillers should continue to develop themselves through retraining programmes on a regular basis.
Need for provision of credit facilities.
Bank of Industry and other banks should give regular credit
facilities at reduce interest rates for Drillers and Rig owners to
assist them in procurement of their machinery.
Institutionalization of Certificates Issued by the National
Water Resources Institute for professional promotion. This
will ensure training and retraining
Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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Capacity Enhancement of Water Well Drilling
Operators for Economic Impact in Nigeria
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