Stop Indiscriminate Drilling of Boreholes to Prevent Future Environmental Disasters, Don Warns

By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Joy Adeyiga

A renowned don in the Department of Physics, College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Victor Makinde, has called on the Nigerian government to introduce regulatory policies on borehole drilling to prevent future environmental disasters.

Prof. Makinde made this appeal today, November 20, 2024, while delivering FUNAAB’s 95th Inaugural Lecture, titled “Beneath The Waves: Resolving Ambiguities in the Petrologic Supermarket.”

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He emphasised the need for organisations and drillers to register every borehole project, ensuring accountability for the quality of work executed.

The seasoned expert in Applied Geophysics highlighted the critical role of Geophysicists in delivering quality water and protecting groundwater from contamination. He underscored the importance of sustainable practices to mitigate environmental pollution and associated health risks, while also advocating for the prevention of health hazards caused by groundwater contamination.

Prof. Makinde warned against the proximity of pollutant sources such as dumpsites and petrol stations to residential areas and stressed the urgency of implementing water projects for underserved communities without access to municipal pipe-borne water systems.

He also voiced concerns about the unregulated development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), warning that such practices could threaten humanity’s future and erode cultural heritage tied to natural seeds.

Applauding the FUNAAB Physics Department, Prof. Makinde celebrated its role in producing skilled Geophysicists and highlighted the significant job-creation potential in the field. He called for reduced costs and improved accessibility in Geophysics to attract more young professionals into the discipline.

Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, commended Prof. Makinde’s impressive academic accomplishments, noting his authorship of over 79 articles in Geophysics and more than 30 in Pedagogy/Science Education. Besides, he stated that Prof. Makinde has also supervised over 120 undergraduate projects, 21 M.Sc. theses, and 11 Ph.D. dissertations.

The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted Prof. Makinde’s leadership contributions, including his roles as Deputy Dean and Acting Dean of COLPHYS, underscoring his dedication to academic excellence and institutional development.