By Kelvin Ololo
The senator representing Cross River Northern senatorial district in the 10th Nigeria’s senate, Senator Jarigbe Agom, has commissioned a transformational solar-powered water project in Obanliku and Obudu Local Government Areas of the state.
The scheme which is targeted at providing clean water to his constituency to ameliorate the challenges of water scarcity and water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery in the district is embraced as a welcome development by benefiting communities.
About five (5) communities in Obanliku LGA benefited from the project. They include Umale Community (Bendi Ward 2) Ablasang Community (Bishiri South) Busi 4 Community (Busi Ward) Besenge Community (Utanga Ward) and Bebuenkayang Community (Bisu Ward).
Seven (7) communities in Obudu LGA also benefited from the scheme. They include Biwhe community (Alege/Ubang), Ohong community (Begiading Ward), Bebuatsuan community (Ipong Ward), Karu community (Ukpe Ward), Ukpada community (Utugwang South), Indiabeb community (Urban Ward 1) and Bedia community (Angiaba/Begiaka).
Speaking at the commissioning exercise, the Senator Jarigbe who was represented by the Constituency Officer, Mr. Egar Mgbantul, highlighted that the project was an immediate response to the demands made by various communities.
Explaining that, the scheme is one of other quick impact projects aimed at contributing to national development by providing safe drinking water, promoting good hygiene and tackling the challenges of access to clean water in the senatorial district of the state.
Beneficiaries of the solar water project applauded the kind gesture and timely delivery of the project, pledging absolute support for Sen. Jarigbe.
Also, political commentator, Comrade Emmanuel Ogar, commended the scheme describing it as a laudable development for the people of the northern senatorial district.
He said: “Sen. Jarigbe Agom deserves commendation for this noble project. No single individual has sunk as many boreholes as he has in Cross River State. By comparison, in the entire Calabar metropolis, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has only seven solar-powered boreholes. Only four out of the seven are functional. The rest belong to the state government and corporate organizations. Again, the Senator was quite discretional for choosing solar powered boreholes over electric powered ones because of its cost effectiveness, reliability, durability, energy dependent, easy to maintain and sustainability
“As I commend the Senator for this laudable initiative, let me, on behalf of my community Ijegu Ojor, humbly appeal that our community be considered in the next phase of this project,” he said.
For benefiting communities, the era of trekking a long distance to source for water from streams and ponds are becoming a thing of the past as sunshine has been turned into clean water before their doorstep.