The British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation, has commissioned a 20,000-litre solar-powered borehole for residents of Gidan Na-Ari Community in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The intervention, which is equipped with solar-powered pumping infrastructure, five water dispensing points and a backup manual hand pump, is expected to ease the burden of water collection on residents, particularly women and children who previously travelled several kilometres to neighbouring communities in search of potable water, BATN Foundation said in a statement yesterday.

The project, according to the BATN Foundation, is designed not only to provide water, but also to contribute to improved health, productivity and economic activities within the rural community.
Speaking on the inititiave, the General Manager, BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said access to clean and reliable water remained important an important component of sustainable community development.

“Access to clean and reliable water is much more than a basic infrastructure need. It is a foundation for healthier families, stronger livelihoods and more productive communities,” Odusanya said.

Odusanya explained that improved access to water would enable women and children to redirect the time and energy previously spent searching for water towards education, farming, household responsibilities and other productive activities.

The intervention is also expected to strengthen hygiene and sanitation practices in the community and reduce exposure to water-borne diseases, the statement added.
Speaking on the impact of the project, the Village Head of Gidan Na-Ari, Abdulwahab Ya’u, said access to water had been a longstanding challenge for the community.

“Before now, we normally travelled several kilometres to fetch water from neighbouring communities. Our children and women suffered a lot before they could get water,” Ya’u said.
He said the new facility would reduce the hardship associated with water collection and improve the wellbeing of residents.

The borehole was commissioned by the Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources on behalf of the State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, who commended the initiative as a practical intervention aimed at addressing the needs of rural communities.

The commissioning ceremony was also attended by government officials, traditional leaders, development partners and other stakeholders involved in improving livelihoods and basic infrastructure in rural communities.