Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The WaterAid Nigeria, an NGO, has laid the foundation stone for the construction of 10,000 liter motorised borehole in Mboshi Aji community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The organisation also flagged-off the construction of two female friendly toilet compartments at Eke Ozii Market within Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
Speaking on Friday at the foundation laying, the WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Mrs Evelyn Mere, said the projects, which are sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was part of activities marking the 2024 World Water Day.
Mere, represented by the Enugu State Coordinator of WaterAid Nigeria, Mr Solomon Akpanufot, said that it was part of sustained efforts of the sponsor and its partners to make hygienic water readily available to rural communities in the state.
According to him, more than 2.2 billion people globally are living without water and sanitation.
“The World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 annually to raise awareness on the need for fresh and hygienic water as well as its sustainability because it is essential for human existence.
“The Day also presents an opportunity for the world to galvanise support to end and eradicate the menace of open defecation in communities.
“Today, we are laying foundation for a 10,000 litre motorised boreholes in Mboshi Aji community and the construction of two toilets for market women in Eke Ozii Market.
“WaterAid Nigeria wants to ensure that there is free access to water. The contract for the water project has been awarded and the contractor said he will finish it in the next eight weeks.
“I want to remind the Mboshi Aji people that it is their duty to protect the water project after its completion,” Akpanufot noted.
In his remark, Dr Stanley Ilechukwu, Executive Director of the South-Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), represented by Mrs Amaka Okoye, applauded the sponsor and WaterAid Nigeria for embarking on the projects.
Ilechukwu noted that the water would enable the residents of the benefitting community to maintain their sanitation, which he noted was the objective of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme ongoing within the community.
He hinted that SSDO would continue to partner with relevant bodies and organisations like WaterAid Nigeria to ensure that residents of rural communities in Enugu State enjoy portable and hygienic water.
