Abuja: The Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Diocese of Pankshin in Plateau has contributed significantly to local infrastructure by donating three solar-powered boreholes to the Tillengpat and Bungha Communities of Mangu Local Government Area. Bishop Michael Gokum of the Diocese officially inaugurated and handed over the facilities to the communities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the project was undertaken in collaboration with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and funded by the Isle of Man Government. Bishop Gokum emphasized that the initiative aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by residents in accessing clean water. He noted that for years, the communities had struggled with unsafe and unreliable water sources, which had affected their health and livelihoods.
Bishop Gokum highlighted the positive impact the boreholes would have, stating that with the provision of clean water, children could focus more on their education, families would experience improved health, and community relations would be strengthened. He further explained that the project promotes sanitation, environmental protection, and addresses communicable diseases.
The Bishop also stressed the inclusive nature of the project, ensuring that both Christians and Muslims in the communities would benefit. He expressed gratitude to the Isle of Man Government and CAFOD for their support and generosity, which he believes will transform lives and promote peace and justice in the community.
Mr. Uko Ukut, the Country Representative of CAFOD, expressed appreciation to the Catholic Bishops Conference of England for their approval and support to JDPC. He reaffirmed CAFOD's commitment to future collaborations with the Pankshin Diocese, aiming for brighter futures for the beneficiaries of such projects.
Rev. Fr. Basil Kassam, Coordinator of JDPC in the diocese, mentioned that each borehole comes with a 20,000-liter storage capacity. He encouraged the communities to take ownership of the projects and noted that a Water Users Committee had been established and trained to maintain the facilities.
Representing the communities, Da John Danladi, the District Head of Bungha, expressed gratitude to the donors. He assured that the facilities would be well-utilized to ensure the availability of clean water for the community.