The need for accessible and drinkable water cannot be overemphasized more so when the source is powered by solar. This was the case last Thursday in Anambra State, Nigeria, when the governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, commissioned 27-solar powered borehole projects in the state to provide access to healthy water supply for the people of Aguata and Anambra East Local Government Areas.

The water projects, which were executed in 27 villages in the two local government areas, was in a counterpart arrangement between the Government of Anambra State and the European Union and UNICEF. The governor also commissioned sanitation facilities including flush toilets, urinals and hand-washing facilities located in some primary schools within the aforementioned local government areas.

The UNICEF representative at the function, Mr. Charles Nzuki, explained that the 27 solar-powered boreholes in 27 communities would provide access to safe drinking water to 67,500 people while 2,400 pupils and their teachers would get access to decent and hygienic toilets, hand washing and urinal facilities in the selected twelve schools in Aguata and Anambra East LGAs. He further stated that the second phase of the project in which 30 solar-powered boreholes and 12 Integrated Toilets for schools were awarded and would be concluded in march this year.

The governor, Chief Willie Obiano, also provided some important statistics on the event, "with 15 boreholes in Aguata, we have only succeeded in providing one borehole to about 20,000 people. But we are drilling another 15 in Aguata which will reduce the ratio to one borehole to 10,000 people and we are going to achieve this before the year runs out."

You will recall that I reported a Cholera outbreak in early months of 2015 in the same state which claimed at least ten lives. That outbreak was aided in no small measure by open defecation which consequently polluted the water rendering it unhealthy. With this solution, the two challenges have been solved in parts of the two local governments involved and I hope it will be extended to others. The fact that the government went for the very sustainable and eco-friendly option of solar-powered facilities makes me really happy.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Enugu State, an international NGO, WaterAid, have also  commenced their installation of solar-powered water supply facilities in its Small Town Water Scheme Project (STWS) in rural communities of Enugu state.

 Mr. Jude Emesim, State Programme Manager of WaterAid, said the initiative which they are implementing in partnership with State and Federal governments, is aimed at provide more access to water for people in the rural communities of the state. He also stated that the choice of solar was "to reduce the cost of operation and the maintenance of the scheme by the communities who may be unable to buy fuel to run their generators."

I am so much impressed by these developments and we can only do much more in this front.

Source1 (Anambra State report): James Eze (Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media)

Photos by: Franklin Onwunbiko

Source2 (Enugu State report): DevelopmentDiaries

Photo by: DevelopmentDiaries