By Abdullahi Lukman
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Friday has inaugurated a motorised borehole in Inipo Community, Obehira District of Okene Local Government Area, marking the commencement of the commissioning of micro-projects executed under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme in the state.
The water project, implemented through the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KSCSDA), is aimed at providing clean and safe drinking water to residents of Inipo and neighbouring communities, while improving public health and living conditions.
Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Adams Adabenege, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to critical infrastructure and social services, particularly in rural communities.
He said the government would continue to execute similar projects across the state’s three senatorial districts to address the needs of underserved communities and improve residents’ quality of life.
Adabenege also called on community members to take responsibility for maintaining the facility, stressing that the sustainability of public projects depends largely on the commitment of beneficiaries to protect them.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, General Manager of KSCSDA, Alhaji Dauda Momoh, said the NG-CARES programme targets rural and hard-to-reach communities lacking basic amenities.
He explained that the agency works closely with local communities to identify and implement projects that reduce poverty and improve livelihoods.
Momoh commended Governor Ododo for providing counterpart funding for the programme and disclosed that Inipo Community would benefit from two additional micro-projects in the near future.
He added that more communities across the state would also benefit from ongoing development interventions under the NG-CARES Additional Financing Programme supported by the World Bank.
He warned Community and Group Management Committees against mismanaging project resources, noting that anyone found violating programme guidelines would face sanctions, including possible blacklisting.
Traditional rulers from the benefiting communities, including the Anoba of Odenku, Drisu Yusuf, and the Head of Arigo Community, Wotu Jatto, expressed appreciation to the state government and KSCSDA for providing the water facility, describing it as a long-awaited intervention that would improve the wellbeing of residents.
Residents also welcomed the project, noting that it would ease the burden of accessing water and contribute to the socio-economic development of the community.
They expressed optimism that additional projects promised by the government would further transform the area.
