By Aderemi Bamgbose
A non-governmental organisation, HACEY Health Initiatives, on Friday donated two boreholes to Iju-Odo and Ilutitun communities in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the boreholes were installed at Primary Health Care Centre, Iju-Odo and Basic Health Care Centre, Ilutitun.
Rhoda Robinson, Executive Director, HACEY Health Initiatives, said the initiative was aimed at improving access to clean and safe water in the communities.
Robinson, who was represented by Chioma Osakwe, the Programme Manager, HACEY Health Initiatives, said the clean water initiative was borne out of inaccessibility of communities to potable water.
“Most of the communities do have access to water but not clean and potable water, and that is the cause of high incidences of water borne diseases like diarrhoea and cholera which kills children under five years, this is not supposed to be in this century.
“We work with the Ministries of Education and Health because this project is for primary public schools and health centres.
“The ministries recommend the communities to work with and I must confess that the process has been seamless.
“This project has been running since 2017 and so far, we have been able to provide access to potable water in 90 communities across Nigeria.
“This year, the project is for 10 communities and we did four here in Ondo State, comprising of Okitipupa and Irele Local Government Areas,” Robinson said.
While calling for collaboration between government and communities to guarantee project sustainability, she said the initiative would boost the supply of hygienic water, sanitation and reduce infections in communities.
The traditional ruler of Iju-Odo, Oba Festus Olumoyegun, commended the NGO for its gesture, noting that the initiative would reduce the high mortality rate among residents.
Olumoyegun, represented by Chief Adebayo Omodele of Monogbe community, said communities in the area depended on the river for drinking and domestic use which he described as unsafe.
He noted that the communities deserved a reliable alternative source of water as the people had endured for long, urging government at all levels to come to their rescue for hygienic, clean and safe potable water.
“Statistics released by UNICEF shows that about 124,000 children under the age of five die every year because of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid mainly due to contaminated, unsanitised and unhygienic water.
“The cost of sachet water in these communities rises from N10 to N20 and most of our people cannot afford the sachet water at that price. We are always worried of what the situation may lead to.
“Most part of the communities have been suffering with inadequate water but thank God for this intervention because this will give access to potable water.
“The government has been doing well but key stakeholders across different sectors should increase investment in water, sanitation and hygiene for women and children in rural communities as this will help achieve a healthy and productive society,” Olumoyegun said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)