By Egufe Yafugborhi

For years, the lack of access to public power supply has worsened hardship for residents of Ikot Ebo, Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.  

Among the most painful setbacks caused by this development is the people’s inability to get adequate water for drinking, chores, and running businesses. Those with phones are forced to travel long distances to neighbouring communities to charge their devices.

Successive governments have failed to address the plight of the people, but Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Digital Marketing and Social Media, Cavill Uduak Inwang, a son of the soil, has come to the rescue. Using his own resources, Inwang deployed solar power to install a 5000-liter borehole and a phone charging hub with 50 charging points to ease the lives of his people.

At the commissioning of the project, Governor Eno, represented by Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Ubuo Ubuo, was told that the community had lived with water scarcity for years, and residents had to travel long distances to charge their phones due to the absence of electricity.

Mrs. Itoro Arakpa, an engineer and wife of the governor’s aide, who supervised the project explained that her husband donated the solar-powered borehole and phone charging hub to ameliorate the suffering of his people.

“There’s a place where you can buy water, but because of the cost for the majority of residents, they are not able to get as much water as they actually need to wash, cook, bathe, support businesses and all of those things.

“The 5000-liter facility supplies free water to all installed output points, with outlets at strategic points for key individuals and residents who want to access water publicly round the clock.

“There was another challenge we saw. So, at a place that is not too close, a lot of people will pay N500 transportation to go, pay another N300 to charge their phones, and pay N500 to return home.

“That’s not easy. It’s like an investment. So, some people will go days without turning on their phone and as we know in this day and age, people need their phones to communicate with families and run their businesses to be productive.

“And so my husband had to come with solar power to ease water access and phone charging. So, all of that is to continue to say this village is very dear to his heart.”

The governor praised Inwang for giving back to his community, saying the water is safe for drinking and will reduce airborne diseases associated with unsafe water. He urged other well-meaning individuals to partner with the government to provide essential services to local communities.

He also called on the community, especially the youth to take ownership and ensure “nobody comes from anywhere to vandalize the project.”

The donor,  Inwang said: “Water is a human right, and I’m glad to provide this service to my people. This aligns with Governor Eno’s Arise Agenda, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve.”