Relief as FG Drills Borehole for Ogun Communities in Response to Water Crisis Exposed by Investigative Report

Residents of five agrarian communities in Ogun State have finally found relief from years of waterborne diseases and lack of clean water. This intervention came after the PUNCH Healthwise investigative report highlighted the dire situation faced by communities such as Asaa, Agbelepon, Agbele, Oke-Odo Ibore, and Lafenwa in the Yewa North Local Government Area.

The report exposed how residents had to travel across the border to Benin Republic in search of clean water, illustrating the challenges they faced daily.

Before the report, efforts to get the reaction of the Ogun State government proved futile. Following the report, the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) stepped in to provide boreholes for the affected communities.

Adedeji Adegboyega from the BCDA initiated contact with PUNCH Healthwise, indicating the agency’s commitment to addressing the water crisis. A visit was planned with Atarhe Akpohwaye from the agency agreeing to assess the communities.

BCDA officials, accompanied by our correspondent, visited the communities and engaged residents. Akpohwaye assured the communities of immediate assistance and explained that the BCDA was mandated to provide a lasting solution to the water problem.

Following the town hall meeting, a drilling machine was dispatched to Asaa to begin the borehole project, overseen by Adegboyega. He provided updates on the project’s progress and challenges faced during the drilling process.

George Dakorinama, the Director General of the BCDA, confirmed on TVC that the PUNCH Healthwise report prompted the agency’s quick response. He mentioned the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need to provide solutions to the water crisis affecting not just Asaa but other communities as well.