…Foundation targets water scarcity across six area councils
….Residents hail intervention, urge sustainability
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, has flagged off a ₦22 million water intervention project in the Federal Capital Territory, beginning with the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole in New Jerusalem, a densely populated community in Bwari Area Council.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Hashim said the initiative, executed through the Gbenga Hashim Foundation, is aimed at tackling the persistent water shortage affecting residents in the area. He stressed that access to clean and safe water is a fundamental necessity that should not be denied to any community.
He disclosed that the New Jerusalem borehole project was completed at a cost of ₦5.6 million, noting that it is part of a broader ₦22 million intervention spanning the six area councils within the FCT. He added that similar projects are already being planned for other underserved communities.
Hashim emphasized that the foundation’s interventions are driven by a commitment to improving the living conditions of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those in rural and peri-urban areas often neglected in development planning.
He further revealed plans to expand the initiative beyond the FCT, with upcoming outreach programmes targeting vulnerable populations in northern states, especially those affected by insecurity and displacement.
The PDP stalwart urged residents of New Jerusalem to take ownership of the facility by ensuring proper use and maintenance, stressing that community participation is key to sustainability.
He also decried years of neglect by successive governments, lamenting that many communities across Nigeria still lack access to basic infrastructure such as potable water, good roads, and healthcare services.
Highlighting previous efforts, Hashim said the foundation has executed various projects nationwide, including road construction, educational support initiatives, and ICT training programmes for youths. He noted that one beneficiary of the training scheme has gone on to become one of the youngest female state legislators in the country, describing it as evidence of the impact of investing in human capital.
Dignitaries present at the event included the FCT PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ismail Mohammed Dogara, party leaders in Bwari Area Council, ward officials, and community stakeholders.
Residents expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that the solar-powered borehole would significantly ease water scarcity while improving sanitation and public health in the community.
