The Victims Support Fund (VSF) has recently completed the construction of four solar-powered boreholes, each with a capacity of 4,000 liters, in various communities across Plateau state.
These four solar-powered boreholes have been strategically placed in Doruwa Babuje and Gassa communities within the Barkin Ladi local government area (LGA) of Plateau state.
Additionally, installations have been carried out in Ariri, located in Bassa, and Sopp in Riyom LGAs respectively.
The projects, aimed at addressing water scarcity and improving access to clean water, were inaugurated by the Fund on Tuesday.
Each borehole installation incurred costs exceeding N7 million, signifying a significant investment in the region’s infrastructure.
The utilization of solar power signifies a sustainable approach to water provision, ensuring reliability and efficiency in these rural communities.
The VSF’s initiative reflects a commitment to supporting communities affected by various challenges, including those arising from conflict and environmental factors.
By providing essential infrastructure such as solar-powered boreholes, the Fund aims to enhance the quality of life for residents in these underserved areas.
“The gesture was part of its N250 million intervention in the state, said the Chairman of VSF, Theophilus Danjuma. Represented by his Special Adviser on Programmes and Operations, Mrs Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Danjuma said it was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of conflict victims in the state.
The Chairman added that the boreholes were part of VSF’s water and sanitation initiative, aimed at promoting personal hygiene and improving quality healthcare services.
“Yesterday, we formally launched our project in Plateau for 2023 to 2024, and this will cover various thematic areas that will cushion the hardships of victims of conflicts in the state.
“We will be distributing foodstuff, educational materials, including training of teachers, and income generation by providing equipment, and machines to the victims to start small businesses.
“We will do a lot in the areas of peacebuilding, provide psycho-social support, water and sanitation, among others, which is part of what we are doing here today.
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“Through this intervention, we intend to reach out to thousands of victims in the state, and the aim is to alleviate the sufferings of those affected by the recent unrest in the state,” Danjuma said.
Inaugurating the projects, the Executive Secretary, Plateau Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Sunday Abdu, thanked VSF for the gesture.
Abdu called on members of the community, to protect the facilities from vandals; insisting that the huge resources spent in providing the boreholes should not go to waste.
“Anybody who provides water to you has given you life. So, don’t joke with these facilities,” he advised.
Similarly, the Village Head of Gassa, Mr James Thomas, also thanked the donors for the gesture, adding that it would enable them to tackle some of the communicable diseases that the lack of potable water, was causing.
NAN
