By Abubakar Yunusa
Residents of Ifa Ikot Idang community in Etoi Clan of Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have received a major relief following the donation of a solar-powered borehole by [LG Electronics to address years of water scarcity.
The project, commissioned as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, features a 180-foot borehole, a 5,000-litre overhead tank and dual 1,440-watt bifacial solar panels designed to provide uninterrupted access to clean water without dependence on the national grid.
Speaking during the inauguration, Head of Corporate Marketing at LG Electronics Nigeria, Paul Mba, said the intervention was aimed at tackling challenges related to water access, energy sustainability and community development.
He explained that the solar-powered system would ensure a steady water supply while reducing operational costs through the use of renewable energy technology.
Also speaking, the company’s Public Relations and CSR Manager, Moses Osime, described the project as more than an infrastructure intervention, noting that it would restore dignity and improve the quality of life of residents.
According to him, access to clean water remains a critical need in many rural communities, adding that the initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to people-centred development.
The Village Head of Idang, Mancus Asuquo Ibanga, described the facility as a long-awaited intervention that would ease the burden on residents, particularly women and children who previously travelled long distances in search of potable water.
He said the project would improve public health and enhance the wellbeing of households across the community.
Vice Chairman II of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Aparawa Jimmy Essien, said the borehole marked a new phase of development for the community, stressing that access to clean and sustainable water was fundamental to health, dignity and economic opportunity.
Essien commended LG Electronics for investing in the welfare of rural communities and pledged that residents would protect and maintain the facility.
Mrs Itoro Atakpa, who spoke on behalf of her husband, said the decision to support the project was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of their ancestral community.
She expressed confidence that the facility would serve residents for many years.
A resident, Mrs Joyce Mbong, said the project had transformed daily life in the community by eliminating the hardship and costs associated with sourcing water from distant locations.
Traditional rulers and community leaders who attended the event described the initiative as a model for collaboration between the private sector and local communities. They urged other corporate organisations to invest in critical rural infrastructure and embrace renewable energy solutions for sustainable development.
The solar-powered borehole is expected to provide uninterrupted access to clean water for residents of Ifa Ikot Idang, ending years of scarcity and improving living conditions in the community.
