AWDROP in Oyo resolves crisis, re-elects Kolawole as chairman

The Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Oyo State chapter has re-elected Kolawole Olayinka as substantive chairman, after resolving the association’s leadership crisis which was occasioned by the N30,000 permit by the Oyo State Government.

It would be recalled that the state government since the administration of Abiola Ajimobi imposed a fee of N30,000 on borehole drillers in the state. Borehole drillers had kicked against this permit introduced by the state government through the Ministry of Environment.

This, however, led to dispute among borehole drillers who resorted to remove the state chairman, Kolawole Olayinka, with the allegation that he was the brain behind the permit debacle.

As a result, a meeting was summoned which was presided by the zonal vice-president of the association, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Yusuf where members of the association resolved to embrace peace and to choose a substantive chairman and executive members to stir affair of the state association.

At the election held at Officers Mess, Oyo State Police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan on Friday February 21, 2020, the former acting chairman was re-elected having scored over 75 per cent of votes over his opponent.

The new elected chairman thanked the members for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes. He said: “I thank Almighty God for successful conduct of the election and I appreciate the electoral officers who came from Kaduna, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and other states to supervise the election.

“And to the aggrieved members, I want them to cooperate with me to move the association forward.

Other elected officers are Deji Araromi as vice chairman, Kehinde Olaniyi as secretary, Taiwo Abdulazeez as assistant secretary, Seyi Ojo as public relation officer, Akeem Oyero as chief whip, Adeoluwa Akinola as auditor, Felix Olorunsola as welfare secretary and Akinbode Akinniyi as financial secretary.