Corps Member Sinks Borehole Worth N1.5m In Lokoja

A corps member serving in Lokoja the Kogi State capital, Mr. Stanislaus Toochukwu Onuchukwu with state code number KG/13A/0442, has sank a motorised borehole worth N1.5m in Government Day Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja to meet the water needs of students and other denizens of Adankolo community.

Speaking during the commissioning of the borehole on Thursday, Mr. Onuchukwu said he was moved into carrying out the project when he observed students of the school arbitrarily going out of the school compound with buckets in search of water during class hours. This made him ask why they left their lessons to go searching for water. He was told they had to do so to afford them water to use in flushing their toilet.

Having seen this needs, the corps member liaised with the principal and staff of the school alongside some parents to seek their approval and support for the project. At the end of the consultations, he went about sourcing for funds to embark on the project. Two months thereafter, the project is now being commissioned.

The Commissioner of Water Resources, Barr. Hadiza Onotu Muhammed, who was represented at the commissioning by the Director of water in the ministry, said: "we all know the importance of water. More than 75 per cent of our body is made up of water. No one can live without water. In fact, water is said to be life..." She ended by appreciating the corps member with the sum of N20,000.

The Commissioner of Education, Mrs Grace Elebiyo was also represented at the event. She expressed delight for the vibrant corps member who has 'contributed a great quota to the development of Kogi State', stressing that the corps member has by the project left an indelible mark on the sands of time. She disclosed that her ministry is highly impressed by the borehole Mr Onuchukwu has sank.

The Etsu of Adankolo, Chief David Agbayi on behalf of the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Kabiru showered praises on the corps member for his achievement which he said will be so beneficial to members of his community. In a letter of commendation, the entire people of Adankolo and the School management wished for the authorities to retain the corps member wherever his service will be needed.

The NYSC Zonal Inspector in charge of Lokoja Zone, Mr Felix Ajayi who represented the State Coordinator said: "it is a thing to the Scheme for Toochukwu to do what he has done here today."

He continued that NYSC complements the three tiers of government which is why corps members embark on projects for their host communities which the government should have done. He further disclosed that what is happening here today is happening in other LGAs in the state and in other states across the federation.

The motorised borehole was constructed in such a way that there are three taps both inside and outside the school compound to smoothly serve the community dwellers without them having to come into the school to disturb the serenity of the school environment.

Some students who were interviewed appreciated the corps member for providing them with a source of water. They said the project will afford them water to clean the school compound, carry out experiments in their labs, flush their stool when they use the toilet and save them the N10 they use in buying sachet water.