A Framework for Hydrogeological Data Acquisition and Monitoring In the Niger Delta

Abstract

Groundwater deserves serious attention in the Niger Delta. This is because there are no alternative sources of water supply in many parts of the region. Sadly enough, groundwater development in the Niger Delta region has been carried out with little hydrogeological considerations. This is probably, due to strong political and other extraneous pressures. Consequently, borehole drilling has been indiscriminately and randomly sited and located, resulting to a myriad of problems. As a result, boreholes have failed where there are abundant groundwater storage, and many a time, have been drilled in, obviously, most unpromising locations. Efforts to solve the problems have been unsuccessful and supply of potable water remains grossly inadequate. Whether for domestic, industrial or irrigational purposes, it is evident that groundwater constitutes the most economical, practical and sensible source of water supply in the Niger Delta. It would have to be harnessed in order to meet the water needs of the several development projects now planned for the region. Important data acquisition and monitoring steps need to be taken in order to utilize fully the groundwater resources of the region more efficiently and usefully in future. Recent development plans proposed for the Niger Delta would call for high water demand. There is therefore an urgent need for a sustainable hydrogeological data acquisition and monitoring approach in the Niger Delta region. It is therefore hoped that many of the expert suggestions made in this paper will not only form a guideline for meaningful collection of data for quantitative analysis in future, but will also help in the understanding of the hydrogeology of the region.