By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, has commissioned a solar-powered borehole at the Local Education Authority Primary School, Gidan-Ajiya, Orozo, Abuja, marking his first official engagement outside the Society’s Secretariat since assuming office.

The project, executed by the NSE Maitama Branch, is expected to provide reliable access to clean water for pupils of the school and residents of the surrounding community, easing long-standing water challenges while improving hygiene, public health and the learning environment.

The intervention reflects the Society’s commitment to grassroots development through practical engineering solutions and aligns with the Community Engineering pillar of the NSE’s strategic agenda.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rabiu described the borehole as a timely and impactful intervention, praising the Maitama Branch for its swift and effective execution.

He said the project underscores the role of engineers in directly improving lives and supporting government efforts in delivering essential infrastructure at the community level.

The NSE President urged the school authorities and community leaders to take ownership of the facility by ensuring proper operation and maintenance, stressing that sustainability is key to the long-term success of such initiatives.

The event attracted senior members of the Society, including the Deputy President, Engr. Valerie Ifueko Agberegba, and two past presidents of the NSE, Engr. kashim Ali, FNSE, Engr. Tasiu Wudil, FNSE alongside engineers from across the Federal Capital Territory, school officials, pupils and community representatives.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the NSE Maitama Branch, Engr. Itodo Thomas, noted that the branch hosted the first project commissioning of the Rabiu administration, assuring that more community-focused engineering interventions are already in the pipeline.

The commissioning stands as a symbolic start to the new NSE leadership’s engagement with communities, highlighting the Society’s resolve to translate professional expertise into tangible social impact.