The new facility is not just a simple well; it's a comprehensive system that includes a water treatment unit and is powered by solar panels, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water source free from the issues of electricity or fuel dependency. The initiative was a collaborative effort between JCI Lagos Coral, RGS Worldwide Limited, and Nedville Emergency Medical Services.
A Community-Driven and Sustainable Solution
According to Efemona Ejeh, President of JCI Lagos Coral, the project was a direct response to the community's most urgent need. "When we came into this community, we found out that water was their most urgent need," she said. "Children trekked long distances to fetch water from streams where waste was also disposed of. We knew we had to intervene." By opting for a solar-powered system, JCI aimed to provide a long-lasting solution that would not be affected by power outages or fluctuating fuel costs.
The project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for clean water and sanitation. Racheal C. John Emeyazia, the project's chairperson, noted that the borehole restores "dignity and health to the community" by providing an alternative to the expensive and unsafe water sources they had previously relied on. She also called on communities to take proactive measures to solve their own problems rather than waiting for government intervention.
Collaboration and Community Commitment
The successful completion of the borehole was a testament to the power of collaboration. Joseph Osazuwa, Managing Director of RGS Worldwide Limited, expressed his company's commitment to social responsibility, noting, "water is life, and without it we have diseases."
The project has also received strong support from local leadership. Olamilekan Akindipe Olu, Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council, praised the initiative, emphasizing that the council would work to sustain the project and replicate similar models across other wards. "You didn't just bring water, you brought treated water," he said. "This is laudable."
The community's leader, Baale Chief Jelili Idowu Ajibola, described the borehole as an "answered prayer" and pledged that the community would take ownership of the facility. "We will set up a committee to secure and maintain the borehole," he said, highlighting a shared responsibility to protect the new resource.