LAGOS/Nigeria: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing water access and safety in Cross River State by delivering four rehabilitated boreholes to three communities. Mr. Joseph Mathew, Communications Manager at WCS, made this announcement during a press briefing on Thursday in Lagos.
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this rehabilitation effort forms part of the Watershed Protection for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply initiative. It includes the installation of two solar-powered boreholes in the Aking and Old Netim communities, as well as two hand-pump boreholes in the Nsan community, all situated in Akamkpa local government area (LGA).
Mathew emphasized the critical importance of clean and safe drinking water for human health, hygiene, and overall well-being. With these newly rehabilitated boreholes, the residents of these three communities will now have dependable access to safe water, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and significantly improving their quality of life.
The Watershed Protection for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply activity, operational in Cross River and Bauchi states, aims to provide clean drinking water to approximately 200,000 people in 137 communities. This goal is achieved through supporting community-driven watershed management and sanitation initiatives while safeguarding water sources through forest ecosystem conservation.
Dr. Inaoyom Imong, Chief of Party of the USAID Watershed Protection for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply project and Deputy Country Director of WCS, expressed satisfaction in handing over these borehole projects to the communities. He stated, “The Wildlife Conservation Society and its implementing partner, Partners for Development, are pleased to be part of this endeavor, and today marks the first of many handover ceremonies we will have in the coming years.”
Latif-ur Rahman, USAID/Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Advisor in the Economic Growth and Environment Office, underscored the importance of universal access to safe drinking water as a basic social service. He noted that USAID is collaborating with relevant stakeholders in Cross River State to provide safe and climate-resilient drinking water, contributing not only to community well-being but also to climate adaptation efforts.
Mathew referred to a 2020 report from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, which highlighted that 49 percent of the population in Cross River lacks access to basic water supply services, with 65 percent lacking access to basic sanitation services. With the support of USAID, the Watershed Protection for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply activity will offer clean water to approximately 3,600 community members in the three communities mentioned. Furthermore, it will enhance water security and resilience for 71 communities across four LGAs in Cross River State dependent on the Cross River Watershed.
