EKONOBORE – It was jubilation galore by women, children, youths and elders of Ekonobore community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State following the commissioning of their first source of portable water project embarked upon by the LDS Charities, an arm of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after thirty years of failed attempts to get water.

Women dancing

The people in this serene agrarian community had virtually lost hope of having a successful water borehole apparently due to the peculiar nature of the area because not less than seven attempts have been made by either the state government, local government or other organizations to sink a bore hole in the community and they have all failed.

In the words of a retired civil servant, who lives in the community, Mr. Aigbedion Osemwegie Solomon, the last attempt was made when the community tried to lay a pipe to the river, but regrettably it collapsed.

“To be able to get a successful borehole with water this time around is the grace of God and a miracle. That is why we are all in a celebration mood today. We are very happy that LDS charities has brought water to the community whose only source of water use to be the river, three miles away.

“There have been several incidents of accidents on their way to the river. When they set out to fetch water from the river they spend nearly the whole day because of the long distance,” he noted.

While commissioning the water project, the Site Manager, Mr. Austine Mordi who represented, the Welfare manager, Mr. Chidi Ibeakuzie disclosed that the 5000 liters capacity bore hole is unique and made of original Italian pumps, with a store house.

He said the water bore hole which is the formal standard of LDS boreholes to communities was given to the community because of the distance to their access to portable water.

“With this borehole, the women and children who travel far to get water will no more take the risks. This has been made possible by the LDS charities that get money from wealthy persons in America who want to reach out to help people in Africa.

“They have donated to LDS charities to extend water, schools, and health care to the communities that need them as well as meet up disaster relieves when they occur. These activities are usually not publicized. That is why most people don’t know what the church is doing. In fact, we do not give charity gifts based on political considerations, rather we give to communities that need them and they do not need to be members of the church”, he noted.

While assuring that the water project will last long if they use it properly, the site manager revealed that it was difficult getting water until the engineer got to 500 feet deep. He further advised the community to support the water committee to maintain the borehole which has an overhead tap, 3 supply taps and a generator as well
“It is your borehole, take good care of it. You will need money to among other things to clean the overhead tank, fuel and service the generator. When you pay a token to buy water here, you are helping the borehole to be functional. The money does not come to our church “, he added.

When he handed over the keys of the borehole to the water committee chairman, Mr. Timothy Idemudia, the site manager further advised that the community should cooperate with him because it was a voluntary assignment.

“The water committee chairman was trained to manage the borehole, cooperate with him to maintain the bore hole and it will last long for the community.

The eldest man in Ekonobore Community, (Odionwere) Pa Ogierakhi Aighobahi, thanked LDS charities for the successful execution of the water project which others tried to do but they could not succeed.

Other members of the community including women and children who fetch water from the river were all filled with joy and they sang and danced while the commissioning of the water project was going on.

In her words, Mrs. Roseline Aigbedion, said, “This water borehole project will assist us a lot; most times our children are involved in accidents while going to the stream. This borehole will help us mostly, during the dry season. We are very happy with this water project.”

The geologist of the water project, Mr. Roland Utomwen who revealed that three locations in the community were initially drilled before they could succeed in getting water said the problem was due to lose of mud circulation down the sub surface which the area is characterized with.

“There have been several failed attempts in the past, until LDS Charities insisted that the people must get water and God has made it possible today,” he added.