Area of Cross River State had been without water. Their experience was reminiscent of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s lamentation in his The Rime of the Ancient Mariner written in 1797 and published in 1798.
Worried by the situation in which he and his crew found themselves, Coleridge exclaimed: “Water, water, everywhere and all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink”
Lack of water experienced by the community surrounded by massive body of waters is akin to Coleridge’s experience when he had parched throat in the midst of large body of waters which he could not drink.
Though not sounding poetic as Coleridge, little Eyo; a primary school pupil in Eseko Community, expressed his happiness that the era of waking up very early and trekking a very long distance in search of water was over.
Hear the little boy: “I thank God I would not be waking up very early in the morning to go to that far stream to fetch water every morning before going to school.”
Eyo, like many other children of his age, had to be up as early as 3:00 a.m. to trek several kilometres to a stream in Ifako and other neighbouring communities to be able to get water clean enough for domestic use in their various households. What made it even more strenuous is that they had to do it every morning.
However, respite came for the children and the entire community with the sinking of a borehole in the community by the Imah Nsa Adegoke Foundation (TINAF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Its founder, Mrs. Imah Nsa Adegoke, who was the governorship candidate on the platform of the Labour Party in Cross River State during the 2011 general elections said she was moved by the people’s plight to embark on the project, adding that she realised water was what the people needed during her gubernatorial campaigns.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the project, which included three pumps, two over-head tanks and electricity generating set, she said it was important to make positive impacts on people’s lives whenever a need is identified.
Village Head of Eseko Community, Chief Eyo Essien Ekpe Mbukpa, expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Adegoke for providing water for his community which he said has been lacking the essential amenity for the past 50 years.
The 54-year-old Village Head said: “This is a great thing that has happened in this community. We are extremely grateful and we would show our appreciation by taking good care of this project. Words cannot express how happy we feel today. Our children would not be suffering to get water from far away streams again. We were all really suffering before now and this has taken great load off our shoulders.”
Mrs. Maria Effiong, a mother of four was full of joy as she said: “For a long time, we have been suffering because of water problems. Now that we have water, we will be able to serve neighbouring communities. We are so happy. Before now, our children trekked several kilometres to get water. Most times they had to get up as early as 3:00 a.m. to get water from the stream.
“Most times, they would miss school because of the uncomplimentary situation. We have been waiting for this kind of thing for a long time and the availability of water in this community is such a big relief to us. The facility would really go a long way in helping us during this dry season.”
Expressing his joy and appreciation to Mrs Adegoke for providing his community with water, Mr. Etim Nyong, a youth leader in the community said: “We are glad that the days of suffering in this community are behind us. Before now, children trekked up to five kilometres to Ifako to get water from the stream. That is over now. We would put this borehole to best use and also do our best to ensure that it is maintained.”
Adegoke was also grateful to the community for appreciating the project, saying everything was made possible by God.
She advised that politics should be devoid of attitude of “winner takes all” She said that every single member of the community should feel the impact of good governance despite his or her political affiliation.
“Everyone should be carried along. Whether they voted for you or not, it is your responsibility to cater for them,” she said.
