The people of Osusuokpor, a community in Ikom LGA of Cross River State, have expressed joy and gratitude at finally having an access to water.
The chairman of the community, Randy Njan, stated that they had neither pond nor stream from which to draw drinking water.
As a result, he said their women and children would always trek long distances to neighbouring Obubra LGA in search of water for drinking and general use.
He disclosed this when their representive (for Ikom I constituency) in the State House of Assembly, Samuel Neji Abang, commissioned a borehole in the community for their use.
The community chairman lamented that the authorities had scarcely remembered them, especially since the advent of democracy in 1999.
He expressed relief that the project has alleviated their suffering.
“We have never been remembered since 1999, but today we’re happy that water which is life has been given to us.
“In the past, women and children would travel long distances, often as far as the boundary between Ikom and Obubra, to access water, especially during dry seasons but with this project, that has become a thing of the past,” Njan said.
The water project is expected to improve the lives of the people of Osusuokpor community by providing them with access to clean drinking water and enhancing their overall well-being.
The representative assured the people that the community would soon witness significant development in line with the ‘people first’ mantra.
The Secretary of Ikom Council, Edo Owan, advised the community to guard the project jealously and protect it from vandalism.
