DAAF’s project eases water challenge of Ibadan residents

WATER is one of the most important essentials of life and this is the more reason it is often said that water is life.

Recently, residents of Kajola community, New Gbagi area heaved a sigh of relief when a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Dr Abbey Akinoshun Foundation (DAAF), provided solar-powered borehole for the community.

The gesture was so well received by residents of the community who travel long distances in search of water and now with the water project, they can fetch water at any time of the day.

Speaking during the commissioning of the project, founder of DAAF, Dr Abbey Akinoshun, said he was particularly worried about how people, especially housewives and children, go in search of water in the area.

He said on many occasions, particularly during school terms, they wake up very early, at about 5:00a.m., to go in search of water.

“The truth is that after trekking long distances in search of water, there is no way these schoolchildren can study well when they finally get to school.

“They would already be tired when they get to school and it will be hard for them to assimilate what their teachers teach them.

“Before the project, I allow residents of the community fetch water from my house, and I finally decided to embark on the project.

“The reason I made the project solar-powered is that if the pumping machine uses public power, then it will be costing a lot of money paying electricity bills, so I decided that it should be powered by solar. With this, people can fetch water anytime of the day and as long as they want,” Dr Akinoshun said.

The UK-based philanthropist added that with the water project and other projects embarked upon by the foundation, he is only working to make his community better, just as he charged other well-to-do individuals in the society to also follow suit.

“We can make a difference in the lives of others by simply contributing our quota in the areas we notice those around us are facing challenges.”

The project director of DAAF, Mr Onipede Adewale, charged residents of the area to make judicious use of the water project.

He charged them to constantly monitor the borehole and ensure it is not vandalised, adding that the foundation is already looking at other areas to also support residents.

“This project is one that the founder of DAAF, Dr Abbey Akinoshun, has been thinking about for a long time; he is someone who cares about the wellbeing of people around him and he has been doing a lot to support different categories of people in the society.

“He will, however, be glad only if the borehole is well maintained and not vandalised. The fund that went into doing this project is huge but the large heart of Dr Akinoshun has made it possible, so we must all also make him happy by using the project judiciously,” Mr Adewale said.

While appreciating DAAF and Dr Akinoshun, a resident of the area, Mrs Rashidat Abegunde, said before the water project, she used to wake up and trek long distance to source water for household use.

“There are some boreholes where they charge money and as a result, that limits the number of kegs we can fetch per day because it will affect the household finances. We were, therefore, left with no other choice than to move far to source for water.

“Another problem here is that they use electricity where we fetch water, so as soon as the water from the tank finished, the owner won’t pump the water again.

“However, with the construction of the solar-powered borehole, we can now fetch water anytime of the day.  With all the money spent on the project, the water is free, but we are not surprised because this is who Dr Akinoshun is.

“Apart from this water project, he also supports residents of the community during festive seasons. We are really grateful to him and to DAAF.”

A secondary school student in the area, Favour Adesina, also thanked DAAF for the project, adding that it will ease the stress children go through in the morning in search of water before going to school.

She said: “Most times, we get to school late because where we used to fetch water is far.

“This water project has really done a lot for us and we are also sure of getting clean water, which will further improve our wellbeing.”

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