Nigerian Navy Brings Water Relief to Bayelsa Community with Solar-Powered Borehole and Giant Overhead Tank
The Nigerian Navy has commissioned a solar-powered industrial borehole and a 700,000-litre capacity overhead water tank in Diebu Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, bringing much-needed relief to the rural area.
The water project, inaugurated on Wednesday, is part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme aimed at uplifting host communities through sustainable development initiatives.
Rear Admiral Diepreye Matthew, the project facilitator and a native of Diebu, described the initiative as an expression of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“Today, we commission the solar-powered industrial borehole and a 700,000-litre capacity overhead tank under the Chief of Naval Staff’s Special Intervention Quick Impact Project. This milestone represents a strong partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the people of Diebu,” Matthew stated.
He added that the project also comprises a power station, four main water points, and six single tap heads distributed across the community.
Representing the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, at the event was Rear Admiral Ahmed Gaya, Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Yenagoa. He highlighted the Navy’s civil-military cooperation initiatives as key to national development.
“The project serves as a way for the Navy to honour its accomplished officers while going beyond its traditional role of securing lives and property. This initiative by Matthew is a notable example of our civil-military cooperation efforts,” Ogalla said.
In his remarks, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, represented by Retired Brigadier-General Eric Angaye, Coordinator of the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps, praised the Navy for its impactful support to communities. He noted that similar interventions had also been undertaken by the Nigerian Army in other local government areas such as Kolokuma/Opokuma and Nembe.
He called on Diebu residents to protect and maintain the facility to ensure it serves future generations.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, Mr. Target Sekibo, expressed deep appreciation to the Navy.
“This is my first time witnessing such a massive project from the Nigerian Navy. I never imagined they will go this far to support a rural community like Diebu,” Sekibo said.
The project marks a significant step in addressing water supply challenges in the area while strengthening the Navy’s relationship with local communities.
