Provision of Safe Drinking Water
Nigeria is very rich in water resources that many of its 36 states are named after rivers; Rivers: Benue, Niger, Cross Rivers, Kaduna, and Plateau (Nelson Odume, Rhodes University, 2017). The country has many water reserves which is higher than many African countries. It is only normal then that one would think that Nigerians have enough water to drink, but the reverse is the case as only 19% of the country’s population have access to safe drinking water. Although 67% have basic water supply but access to it is uneven.In the cities, 82% have basic supply and in the rural areas only 54% do (Andrew Slaughter, University of Saskatchewan 2017).
Understanding that water is very necessary for human survival, the COFP believes that, it is not just any water, but good clean water is important for healthy living and survival. Unfortunately, lack of accessible, reliable and safe drinking water was one of the problems identified in Amper community of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau state.The initiative to construct two boreholes by the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace in collaboration with the Czech Republic in Amper Community of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State was as a result of the untold suffering that women and children pass through as they go long distances in search of water for their daily use. Hence, provision of safe water close to the community became a necessity and with the support from the Czech Government, the Foundation commissioned two boreholes for the community for easier access to water on the 25th of July, 2019.
Speaking at the commissioning, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Micheal Gokum the Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese thanked the Foundation and Czech Embassy for the laudable project. He assured us that the project will be used to advocate peaceful coexistence of all religions in Ampere community. The Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abuja, Ms. Beata Matusikova further expressed the Czech Republic’s delight for partnering with the COFP Foundation in the provision of portable drinking water to the entire community. She urged the community,especially, women to take good care of the boreholes.Rev. Sr. Rose Confidence Amaku from the COFP Foundation further thanked the Czech government for their support in making the project a reality. She encouraged the community to use the borehole project as a uniting point for living in peace.
