As part of efforts to improve access to clean and safe water in rural communities, the executive chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Council, Hon. Prince Anthony Nyong, has commissioned seven rehabilitated solar-powered water facilities across five wards in the local government area.
The benefiting villages include Ikot Esen and Ibiakpan Nsit in Ward 7; Iwok Nsit in Ward 2; Ndon Ekpe and Ikot Akpakpan in Ward 6; Ibakang in Ward 9; as well as Ndon Ikot Itie Udung in Ward 4.
The water projects were rehabilitated and converted to solar-powered systems through a partnership between the council administration and Save the Slum Initiative (STSI), a non-governmental organisation committed to improving access to essential social amenities in underserved areas.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremonies held across the various villages on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Hon. Nyong expressed appreciation to STSI for collaborating with the local government to restore the previously non-functional boreholes and convert them into sustainable solar-powered systems.
The chairman assured residents that his administration would continue to partner with relevant agencies and development organisations to deliver the dividends of democracy to rural communities. He also urged village leaders and residents to protect the facilities from vandalism to ensure their sustainability for future generations.
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Hon. Nyong further thanked the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for sustaining peace and stability across the state while also commending the host communities for cooperating with the engineers and technical teams during the execution of the projects.
In their separate remarks, the Village Head of Ikot Esen and Group Head of Ibedu, Chief Okono Okono; the Village Head of Iwok Nsit, Chief Udo James; the Village Head of Ibiakpan Nsit, Chief Friday James Okono; the Village Head of Ndon Ekpe, Chief B.A. Okon, as well as the Village Heads of Ikot Akpakpan and Ndon Ikot Itie Udung, Chief Edet Inyang, expressed profound gratitude to the Executive Chairman and STSI for restoring water supply to areas that had suffered years of water scarcity.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting villages, Chief Okono Okono said the people had endured more than a decade without access to clean water following the collapse of the previous facility.
“For the past 12 years, we have been lacking clean water since the earlier water facility collapsed. We are grateful to the chairman and STSI for this intervention. This water project is very important to the people because even our neighbours from Oron Local Government Area also make use of this facility. We promise to do everything possible to protect it, as this is the first time we are witnessing such a government presence in this village,” he said.
The traditional rulers noted that residents in the affected areas had, for years, depended on unsafe water sources and water vendors due to the collapse of the existing borehole systems.
Also speaking at the event were the Supervisor for Works, Hon. Emmanuel Okono; Supervisor for Women Affairs, Hon. Noble Paul; Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Unwana Orok; Supervisor for Religious Affairs, Hon. Mercy Umoh; former Supervisor, Hon. Johny Udoh; Council Secretary, Obong Sunday Udia; and the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Ubong Udoeyo. They all commended the council chairman and STSI for the impactful intervention.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the executive director, Mr. Samuel Adeyinka Owa, thanked the council chairman for partnering with the organisation. He explained that the intervention in Nsit Atai targeted seven previously non-functional boreholes.
According to him, the first batch of seven solar-powered water facilities has already been installed, providing a reliable and sustainable water supply to the benefiting communities.
He stated that each facility is equipped with a 1.5-kilowatt solar panel array, submersible pumps, polyethylene storage tanks ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 litres, as well as reticulated pipe networks with multiple tap stands.
Adeyinka added that STSI conducted hydrogeologic yield testing, water quality analysis, and solar irradiance mapping at all project sites before installation, noting that the water quality tests complied with the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality.
He further disclosed that the organisation established 14 Water Point Management Committees through community elections to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the facilities. He added that 80 persons drawn from the committees and local government WASH focal officers were trained on water quality monitoring, hygiene promotion, and system maintenance.
The project, he said, has received the endorsement of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, as well as the benefiting local government councils.
The commissioning ceremonies were attended by the vice chairman of the council, Hon. Mrs. Affiong Amanam; councillors; supervisors; Ward PAs; community leaders; and residents.
