Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has flagged off a motorised borehole in Inipo Community, Obehira District of Okene Local Government Area, under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, reaffirming his administration’s drive to expand rural infrastructure and basic social services across Kogi State.
The project, implemented through the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA), was designed to address years of acute water scarcity that forced residents—especially women and children—to travel long distances in search of potable water.
Represented at the inauguration by the Chairman of the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Adams Adabenege, Governor Ododo described the intervention as the start of a wider rollout of community-driven development projects across rural areas of the state. He urged residents to protect and maintain the facility for long-term use.
He commended KGCSDA for effectively driving the Community Driven Development (CDD) model, noting that grassroots-focused projects remain central to his administration’s development agenda.
Speaking in his personal capacity as a son of the area, Adabenege said the project had brought relief to a long-standing community challenge, ending years of hardship linked to lack of access to safe water.
KGCSDA General Manager, Alhaji (Chief) Dauda O. Momoh, said the agency’s micro-project scheme targets underserved communities lacking basic amenities, aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods. He added that KGCSDA remains a key delivery platform for NG-CARES in Kogi State.
Momoh also disclosed plans for additional interventions, including solar-powered streetlights, while allowing the community to choose its next priority between upgrading the health centre or renovating schools under its development plan.
He further noted that more communities would benefit under the World Bank-supported additional financing window of the programme.
Operations Manager of KGCSDA, Mr Bayode Oladipo, said two more micro-projects would be added to meet the requirements of the community development plan, describing Inipo as a well-organised and cooperative community.
Traditional rulers, including the Anoba of Odenku, Alhaji Drisu Yusuf, and the Head of Arigo Community, Alhaji Wotu Jatto, praised the initiative, saying it had brought long-awaited relief to residents.
The daughter of the late Hajia Aminetu Eche Ozohu, Saadatu Zakaria Ahmed, expressed gratitude that her mother’s advocacy for a water project had finally been fulfilled, describing it as a lasting legacy for the community.