By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Bakhita Initiative JDPC in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and support funding from Latter-day Saints Charities (LDSC), Wednesday commissioned a borehole project in Yartabau village of Wurno local government, Sokoto state.
The project according to Bakhita Initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to improve access to not only safe and clean water but also strengthen community resilience as well as support improved health and well-being among vulnerable households.
Speaking in his opening remarks, CRS WaSH Officer, Emmanuel Abimiku thanked the community for not only granting them the opportunity to touch their lives but also contributing their quota to the initiative.
Lending his voice during the commissioning, the North West Operation Manager of CRS, Mr Solomon Dadean said the project is one of their many efforts towards supporting the numerous developmental efforts of the state government.
Registering appreciation on behalf of the entire community, the
village head of Yartabau, Bashir Sarkin Tudun Yartabua, said Bakhita Initiative, CRS gave their lives a meaning with the provision of the clean water.
"We are deeply grateful to the Bakhita Initiative, CRS for this project that is being commissioned today. They have impacted our lives in many ways. They taught our wives and mothers how to prepare Ready-to Use Therapeutic Food (RTUF) to help reduce incidences of malnutrition and others"
The village head further divulged that Yartabau has faced challenges in accessing safe and reliable water over the last 5 to 7 years following the breakdown of their only functional borehole.
Addressing the villagers, Bashir Arzika, an Assistant Director with the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), said they appreciate CRS and Bakhita Initiative for their concern to humanity, urging the villagers to ensure sustainability by ensuring that they take full responsibility for it's care and protection.
On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah represented by the Vicar General, Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev Father Nuhu Iliya urged the benefiting community to see water challenge as that of hunger that knows no religion or race, hence the need for them to take full responsibility of the project to ensure sustainability.
Speaking at the event the CRS Deputy Country Representative, Lucie Amadou said the commissioned borehole now belongs to the community and not those that brought the project, therefore they must continue to ensure its protection for generation yet unborn to also benefit from it.
Collaborating with all the speakers in his closing remarks the Executive Director of JDPC Sokoto, Mr Williams Daloegoet who is also the Project Coordinator of Kyautata Rayuwa said they are grateful for the immense understanding and support from the benefiting community. NNL.
