The Neighbourhood Environment Watch (NEW) Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has inaugurated a hand-borehole it constructed and donated to the Ohatekwe-Edda community in Abakaliki, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Dr Kelechi Okezie, while inaugurating the water project on Friday at Ohatekwe-Edda, said that the initiative was a conscious effort by the foundation to tackle the perennial water problem in the community. He said that the borehole would provide the people with affordable and safe water for domestic and other uses.
The executive director explained that the construction of the borehole was in fulfilment of a promise to the people to install a hand pump borehole in appreciation for their commitment to protecting their environment and contributing to climate mitigation through tree planting.
“Today is a remarkable day in the history of this community; today, we stand to fulfill a promise we made to install a hand pump borehole in appreciation for your commitment to protecting your environment and contributing to climate change mitigation through tree planting,” he said.
Okezie said that the project was part of the Strengthening Local Advocacy Against Climate Change (SLACC) project.
Okezie, an environmentalist, said that the initiative was funded by the Independent Global Stocktake (IGS), Climate Works Foundation (CWF), and the West African Science Centre for Adapted Landuse (WASCAL), among others.
“This project is part of our Strengthening Local Advocacy Against Climate Change (SLACC) project, an initiative funded by our sponsors: Independent Global Stocktake, Climate Works Foundation, and the West African Science Centre for Adapted Landuse (WASCAL), among others. The SLACC project aims to enhance community resilience by strengthening local advocacy against climate change. This includes supporting local farmers and communities in adapting to climate variability and change.”
“Our interventions such as training sessions; biogas installations, tree planting and installation of borehole, are designed to promote sustainable living and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
“We chose Ohatekwe-Edda for this borehole because of your community’s remarkable commitment to sustaining our initiatives over the years. Your acceptance and care for our projects have been exemplary, demonstrating a strong sense of community ownership and responsibility.
“This level of engagement is crucial for long-term success and sustainability; I want to emphasise that community involvement is not just about participation, it’s about empowerment. By embracing our initiatives, you have helped shape solutions that are tailored to your community’s unique challenges.
“This level of engagement is essential for creating lasting impacts and ensuring that our projects are truly community-driven. Water is life. As you drink and utilise water from this borehole, may it usher good health, development and prosperity to this community,” Okezie added.
