Residents of Ndiedegbe Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have celebrated the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole project by the Eleemosy Empowerment & Relief Foundation, marking a major step toward ending years of water scarcity and waterborne diseases in the area.
For decades, many rural communities across Ebonyi State have struggled with limited access to clean and safe drinking water, especially during the dry season when streams and natural water sources often dry up. The situation has negatively affected farming activities, public health, and daily living conditions for residents.
The newly commissioned water project in Ndiedegbe is expected to provide sustainable access to potable water for hundreds of households while reducing the risks associated with contaminated water sources, including cholera and other waterborne infections.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony held to commemorate World Water Day 2026, President of the Eleemosy Empowerment & Relief Foundation, Mr. Cornelius Oroke, revealed that the intervention was inspired by a social media report highlighting the community’s long-standing water crisis.
According to him, the foundation’s technical and assessment team carried out an independent verification of the report before mobilizing engineers and resources to execute the project.
“We discovered that the water challenge in Ndiedegbe was severe and required urgent intervention. After confirming the situation, we moved quickly to provide a lasting and sustainable solution through this solar-powered borehole system,” Oroke stated.
Beyond the Ndiedegbe water intervention, Cornelius Oroke is widely recognized for supporting community development initiatives focused on rural infrastructure, education, and social welfare.
Known for promoting sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR), Oroke has consistently emphasized the importance of using private-sector resources to improve living conditions in underserved communities across Nigeria.
The Eleemosy Empowerment & Relief Foundation has also supported educational projects, including school renovations and the distribution of learning materials in rural areas.
Speaking further at the event, Oroke explained that the foundation’s mission is centered on creating measurable and long-term solutions to community challenges.
“The foundation believes that interventions should not only provide immediate relief but also create sustainable impact. Access to clean water and quality education remains critical to rural development,” he said.
Community members expressed gratitude to the foundation for addressing a challenge they said had persisted for many years despite repeated promises from different quarters.
A resident of the community, Mrs. Ekoyo, described the project as life-changing, noting that residents previously depended on unsafe streams for drinking and domestic use.
“For years, we suffered from lack of clean water. Many people came with promises, but nothing happened. Today, we finally have safe water in our community, and we are grateful to the Eleemosy Foundation and Mr. Cornelius Oroke,” she said.
The solar-powered borehole project, commissioned on March 22, 2026, now stands as a symbol of how private foundations and nonprofit organizations can complement government efforts in addressing rural development challenges in Ebonyi State and across Nigeria.
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