First Public Borehole in Amaeke Item Community

LDS Charities recently commissioned the first public borehole in Amaeke Item Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. More than 350 members of the community, both at home and diaspora, witnessed the ceremony. 

Speaking at the commissioning of the borehole, President Aliche Solomon of the Nigeria Owerri Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encouraged the community to make good use of the borehole for the benefit of all in Amaeke Item Community. He commended the strong leadership of the Amaeke Item Community Development Union (AICDU) and the visible co-operation of the community members.

The borehole and distribution points were designed to provide clean, safe water for the benefit of more than 5,000 people living near Amaeke Item.

“To us, this water project is a dream come true,” said Evangelist Samuel Obande, the President of AICDU, while expressing gratitude for all who supported the vision. “We want to salute your effort and courage even when the search for water was becoming elusive. You persevered and remained more determined, which today has turned [into] a success.”

He acknowledged LDS Charities as a pacesetter in its many projects. “From our hearts, we say thank you,” he added.

Mrs. Ekenne Agwabuma, the Head of Department, Water Services, represented the Water Board of Abia State when she thanked the Church for persisting amidst great difficulties to provide clean water for the community.

“This is a good beginning and we wish the people of Bende more progress in this community,” said Hon. Chidiebere Asoye, Deputy Chairman, Bende Local Government Area, Abia State. “Amaeke Item has [had] its donkey’s years of scarcity of portable water, [now] quenched by LDS Charities in partnership with Abia State Water Board.”

Asoye urged the community to maintain the project. Previous efforts by various organizations have proven unsuccessful due to the soil type and difficult drilling terrain.