NGO Provides Borehole to Ebonyi Community, Transforming Lives

In a significant move to address the critical water needs of a rural community, the Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation (NEW Foundation) has drilled a borehole in Ohatekwe Edda, located in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The intervention, carried out under the organisation’s Strengthening Local Advocacy Against Climate Change (SLACC) initiative, was made possible through funding support from the Independent Global Stocktake, ClimateWorks Foundation, and the West African Science Centre for Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), among others.

Speaking during the commissioning, Dr. Kelechukwu Okezie, Executive Director of the Foundation, described the project as “a remarkable feat in the history of Ohatekwe Edda community,” highlighting the people’s commitment to forest conservation and climate change mitigation.

“Today, we stand to fulfill a promise made to you to install a hand pump borehole in appreciation of your commitment to protecting your environment and contributing to climate change mitigation through tree planting,” Okezie stated.

He explained that the borehole project is a key component of the SLACC initiative, which seeks to enhance community resilience by strengthening local advocacy and promoting adaptive practices against climate variability.

“Our interventions — including training sessions, biogas installations, tree planting, and the provision of a borehole — are designed to promote sustainable living and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” he said.

Okezie emphasized the Foundation’s decision to site the project in Ohatekwe Edda was based on the community’s outstanding commitment to sustaining environmental initiatives over the years.

“Your acceptance and care for our projects have been exemplary, demonstrating a strong sense of community ownership and responsibility,” he added. “This level of engagement is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of our environment.”

He further stressed that community involvement should not only be about participation but must also empower communities, meeting real needs and fostering development.

“Water is life. As you drink and utilise water from this borehole, may it usher in good health, development, and prosperity to this community,” Okezie prayed.

The project has been met with overwhelming gratitude from the community.

The Traditional Ruler of Ohatekwe Edda, Eze Godwin Nwankwegu, expressed profound appreciation to the NGO, acknowledging that water had been a dire need for the community and adjoining villages.

According to him, before the borehole installation, residents relied on a poorly constructed local dam, popularly called “Okpuru,” which often became contaminated and colored, especially during the dry season.

“Since the drilling of the borehole, people now come from over 15 kilometers away to fetch water,” Eze Nwankwegu revealed, calling for more interventions of such nature while pledging the community’s continued efforts toward mitigating the impacts of climate change for the benefit of the state and humanity.

Also speaking at the commissioning, a community leader and former Enyidda Development Centre Coordinator, Chief Michael Udenwe, commended the Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation for the life-changing project.

He urged the Ebonyi State Government and other humanitarian organisations to emulate the NGO’s example and prioritize support to underserved communities facing water scarcity challenges.

Similarly, a woman leader, Mrs. Nkweagu, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the women and children of the community.

“I am speechless and full of immense gratitude, as this borehole has come to alleviate lots of problems women and children face in getting water for domestic use,” she said.

She further assured that the women would work together to ensure the borehole is well maintained and prayed for additional boreholes to cater to the growing water needs of the community.