A non-profit organisation, Wells for Hope has donated a modern borehole project to Igbesa community in Ogun state, to address years of water scarcity and reliance on unsafe sources in the community.

The borehole, commissioned recently is the organisation’s 10th water project in Nigeria since its establishment in 2019. It is expected to serve households, schools and health facilities in the community, where residents have largely depended on streams, shallow wells and rainwater for their water needs.

Speaking at the commissioning, the founder of Wells for Hope, Kenny Wang, said the project was designed to improve access to safe drinking water and reduce the health risks associated with contaminated water sources. He noted that many families in the community had long travelled considerable distances to fetch water.

According to him, the facility is equipped with an overhead storage tank and multiple water points and is expected to serve hundreds of households. He added that members of the community had been trained in basic maintenance to support the sustainability of the project.

Wells for Hope said fundraising support for the project was provided by the United States-based Holistic Education Group, although it did not disclose the value of the contribution.

The Baale of Igbesa, Chief Obanla, described the project as a welcome intervention, saying it would help reduce residents’ dependence on unsafe water sources, particularly among women and children.

Access to safe water is widely recognised as a key public health measure, helping to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid while easing the burden on women and girls who often spend hours fetching water.

Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in providing reliable access to portable water, particularly in rural communities, prompting interventions by non-governmental organisations, faith-based groups and government agencies.

The organisation also called for increased collaboration among individuals, corporate organisations and public institutions to support similar water projects across underserved communities in the country.