By Uche Bibilari
Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF) has provided solar powered water plant to Kaida Tsoho community to address scarcity of potable water over the years.
The NUF undertook the philanthropic gesture in partnership with Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF),
During the commissioning of the “Water For Life (W4L)” project on Monday in the community, Mrs Nkiru Udezue, Founder, NUF said that water was essential for the survival of humans.
Udezue said that poor access to improved water and sanitation in Nigeria remained a major contributing factor to high mortality rate among children under five and even adults.
According to her, the use of contaminated drinking water and poor sanitary conditions results in increased vulnerability to waterborne diseases, including diarrhea and cholera.
She said that these diseases had led to the death of more than 70,000 children under five.
“The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) six has called for universal, equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water,” she said.
Udezue commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the development of the FCT.
She said that attention should also be given to the suburbs around the FCT by providing infrastructures, such as roads, electricity, and most importantly, water.
She commended Sir Emeka Offor Foundation for stepping in as official partners in the laudable project, adding that humanitarian work required holding each other’s hand.
She called on the people of the community to safeguard the solar powered water plant and ensure its sustainability for years to come.
On his part, Sir Emeka Offor thanked the NUF for bringing the water project where it was needed most.
Offor, who was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Okoro from his foundation, said that the foundation does not embark on projects that would not stand the test of time.
He assured the community of the durability of the water project if well managed.
He promised them of more projects in the community if they managed the water project provided for them well.
“For any community project to last, the people of that community must ensure that the already provided project is protected”, he said.
The Madaki of Kaida Tsoho, Mr Aliyu Biko, appreciated the foundations for their kind gesture towards the community.
“Before now, no water in Kaida Tsoho community, we are happy that the foundations have come to put smiles on our faces”, he said.
The Project Manager, Francis Atu, said that the water depth was drilled to 130 meters in order to serve the community even during dry seasons.
Atu said that solar was used to power the plant because of lack of electricity in the community, adding that the foundations wanted something that would always be functional. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)