Lady Helen Eno Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, has officially commissioned a solar-powered water facility in Ikot Offiong, Ikono Clan, Uyo Local Government Area, as part of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) “Water of Life” project.
Describing the project as a symbol of hope and dignity, Lady Obareki said it reflects GIFA’s focus on environmental health and complements Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda by ensuring rural communities have access to clean, sustainable water.
The Ikot Offiong facility is the ninth completed under the initiative, and Lady Obareki reaffirmed GIFA’s commitment to bringing similar interventions to rural communities across all 31 Local Government Areas in the state.
Community leaders and residents expressed gratitude for the project, highlighting how it ends long treks to distant streams. Lady Obareki urged residents to protect and maintain the facility and also presented elderly women in the community with wrappers and financial support to enhance their livelihoods.
The commissioning ceremony brought together stakeholders, traditional rulers, and community members, who celebrated the life-changing impact of the new water facility.