In a move towards improving access to clean water and sanitation, WaterAid Nigeria has officially handed over a rehabilitated motorized borehole to the people of UmuAdogwa Ulo, Umuida Community in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Thursday, 20 February 2025, WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Evelyn Mere, described the event as a “remarkable milestone” in efforts to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in the state.
“This facility, with a 30,000-litre storage tank and powered by a 25 kVA generator, will provide 5,000 people with access to safe water. It was rehabilitated during the three-month No Cost Extension Phase of the project,” Mere said.
Mere, who was represented by the Enugu State Programme Lead, WaterAid, Solomon Akpanufot, noted that the project was first initiated by Governor Peter Mbah and completed by WaterAid through funding by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She said the five-year initiative is part of the Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery Project in the state.
The borehole aims to provide 40,000 people with clean water, 3,000 with safely managed sanitation, and 16,000 with hygiene services across Enugu and Bauchi states.
Mere highlighted the significant impact of the project since its launch in 2021, listing previous achievements, including:
- Year One (2021-2022): Constructed a motorized borehole with a 20,000-litre storage facility in Umugili-Amufie, providing clean water to 2,500 people. Built two blocks of inclusive toilets at Akwata and Gariki Markets, serving 1,500 users.
- Year Two (2022-2023): Provided a motorized borehole with a 20,000-litre storage facility for Ukwuinyi Community, benefiting 2,430 people. Built a Water Easy Toilet (WET) at Community Primary School, Ukwuinyi, serving 420 people.
- Year Three (2023-2024): Delivered a motorized borehole with a 40,000-litre storage tank in Mboshi-Aji Community, supplying water to 2,500 people. Installed a solar-powered borehole at Eke Ozzi Market and constructed two female-friendly toilet blocks with accessibility features for people with disabilities, serving 1,500 people.
WaterAid Nigeria urged the community to take full ownership of the facility.
“This facility is yours. We urge you to protect and manage it diligently, working with the Water Consumer Association (WCA) and WASH Committees (WASHCOMs) to ensure its long-term functionality,” Mere advised.
Calling on the state government to scale up similar interventions, she emphasized the need to sustain the momentum created by Executive Order 006, signed by the governor in 2023, to drive universal WASH access across Enugu State.
WaterAid also extended its appreciation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their unwavering support and to the Enugu State Government and stakeholders for their collaboration.
“WaterAid is changing the world through the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene. In partnership with local communities and global allies, we are determined to reach everyone with clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene,” Mere affirmed.
In his speech, the Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, said the governor had promised to make water accessible to every household in Enugu through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
He noted that the government is targeting two SDG goals: access to water for all by 2030 and ending open defecation by 2029.
Nnamani thanked The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their humanitarian efforts, noting that this is the fifth water project he has commissioned in the area.
He also commended WaterAid for their tireless efforts in ensuring that Enugu communities have access to clean water.
The commissioner further urged people to take ownership of every project provided to them.
He emphasized the need for every Local Government Chairman to provide boreholes and public toilets in their communities, adding that they can be managed by well-meaning individuals rather than waiting for the government.
“Boreholes should be a sole concern of every Local Government Chairman to end open defecation. Everything must not wait for the government,” he said.