PHOTOS: WASH PROJECT: RAF, Rotary Clubs in PH Donates Clean Water to Rivers Community…details

By Precious Ahiakwo

The people of Odiabidi, a rural community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State now have a decent source of clean water as a cause-based club Rotary and Friends in partnership with four Rotary Clubs in Port Harcourt donated a six thousand liters capacity water borehole facility and a generator to them.

Before now, the community is devoid of pipe borne water. The community’s only source of drinking water is wells and oil polluted stream.

According to a United Nations reports, at least three thousand children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water. While very few people die of thirst, millions die from preventable waterborne diseases.

With the help of Rotary & Friends (RAF) who partnered with four (4) Rotary clubs in Port Harcourt – Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Seaport, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Creekview and Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Urban, the community now has access to clean and portable drinking water with a generator donated by Dr Princewill Ekele, and Charles Padiwechi Sail-On, to power the borehole.

Chairman of the Cause-based club, Rotary and Friends, Rotarian Chief Hamilton Odum who also spoke on behalf of the four Rotary Clubs during the commissioning, said clean water is a basic need for human beings. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. We don’t just build boreholes and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact”.

President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Seaport, Victoria Ockiya-Jackson in her remarks said the project aims to improve the quality of life of the rural dwellers that lack access to clean water. “Dwellers in these communities often have to walk long distances to reach a water source that is often dirty and carries water-borne diseases, but this is over now. Thanks to our partners who made clean water possible and reachable to these people”.

On his part the ecstatic Chief of Odiabidi Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze-Nwe-Ula Odiabidi CHIEF UDO E. EKPEYE while thanking RAF and the four Rotary clubs for the live saving project said “Now, little boys and girls in the community can go to school on time because they do not have to spend hours going to the stream to fetch water; the health of community members will be improved with access to clean and portable water and of course, clean ENVIRONMENT is assured in the community”.

Every March is Rotary’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month, when Rotarians all over the world celebrate their commitment to create healthier communities by supplying clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Our correspondent reports that the community members lavished the Rotarians with a live goat, bunch of plantain and some drinks to show their appreciation for the life time gift to the community.