By Joe Ephraim, Calabar
The Rotary Club of Hilltop Calabar, in partnership with the Green August Humanitarian Foundation, has commissioned a solar-powered borehole project aimed at addressing the longstanding water challenges faced by residents of the Akim Police Barracks, the Police Clinic, and the surrounding Otop-Abasi community in Calabar, Cross River State.
The project, which includes a high-capacity solar-powered borehole fitted with overhead tanks, solar panels, submersible pumps, controllers, and accompanying piping infrastructure, was officially unveiled at a ceremony attended by police authorities, community leaders, humanitarian organisations, and residents.
Speaking at the event, 40th President of Rotary club of Hiltop, Chidinma Martin advised police officers to always identify and support Rotarians who visit their stations, emphasising that the organisation remains committed to community service and collaborative welfare initiatives.
She reaffirmed the club’s commitment to supporting emergency needs and enhancing community welfare: “We are grateful to God and to the police community for this partnership. This project is a reminder that humanity thrives when we work together.”
Also speaking, Dr. Ijeoma Iloyeje, Project Partner and representative of the Green August Humanitarian Foundation, described the collaboration as “compassion in action,” noting that the foundation exists to improve the quality of lives in underserved communities.
“As a sociologist trained across the BSc, MSc and PhD levels, everything I was taught focused on solving social problems and bringing smiles to people’s faces,” she said. “When Rotary outlined its project list, we saw this as an opportunity to partner and address a critical need. Today’s commissioning is a testament to what collaboration can achieve.”
On his part, Dr Nicholas Dan, Service Project Chairman for the Rotary Club of Hilltop Calabar, revealed that the project originated during the previous Rotary year following a needs assessment that exposed severe water scarcity in the police and surrounding communities.
“Many people asked us, ‘Why the police?’ But when you walk around the barracks, you see children trekking long distances every morning just to fetch water. The police clinic, which serves both officers and the general public, had no water. This was a basic need that had been left unmet for too long,” he said.
Dan added that the borehole was completed in November after work began in August, expressing satisfaction that the facility is now ready for public use.
A representative of the project contractor, REMA Integrated Company, explained the technical components of the installation and confirmed that all systems—from the solar panels to the overhead tanks—were delivered and installed to standard.
The Cross River State Police Command expressed profound gratitude to the donors. Representing the Commissioner of Police, a senior officer, Musa Mohammed described the project as “a significant milestone in the annals of the Command,” noting its immediate impact on welfare and service delivery.
“The Commissioner has asked me to extend his appreciation to the Rotary Club for this magnanimity,” the representative said. “This facility will boost personnel morale and improve services at the police hospital, which caters not only to officers but to members of the public. We assure you that this project will be properly maintained to serve its purpose.”
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) also commended the initiative, pledging to ensure the water system remains functional and promising to extend supply to other areas within the barracks.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with expressions of appreciation from community members who lauded the donors for alleviating the water scarcity that had plagued the area for years.
