By joshua 
Clean Water Flows to Inipo as Gov. Ododo Flags Off NG-CARES Community Projects, Pledges More Rural Transformation
For many years, access to clean water remained a daily struggle for residents of Inipo Community in Obehira District of Okene Local Government Area. Women and children often trekked long distances under the scorching sun and, at times, late into the night in search of water for their families.
Today, that story is changing.
In a significant step towards improving the living conditions of rural communities, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has commissioned a motorised borehole project in Inipo Community under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme.
The project, implemented through the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (KGCSDA), marks the beginning of a new chapter for the community and serves as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to taking development to the grassroots.
Represented by the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Adams Adabenege, Governor Ododo reiterated his resolve to ensure that no community is left behind in the state’s development agenda.
According to him, the provision of clean and safe drinking water is not merely about infrastructure but about improving health outcomes, restoring dignity to families, and creating opportunities for economic growth.
The Governor emphasized that his administration remains focused on delivering people-oriented projects across the three senatorial districts, especially in rural and underserved communities where the need is greatest.
“This administration is committed to bringing governance closer to the people,” he said. “We will continue to invest in critical sectors such as water supply, healthcare, education, road infrastructure, and rural development because every Kogite deserves access to basic social amenities.”
Beyond commissioning the project, the Governor also appealed to community members to protect and maintain the facility, stressing that sustainable development requires collective responsibility.
One of the most emotional moments of the event came from residents who shared stories of the hardship they had endured due to the lack of potable water.
For many families, the newly commissioned borehole is more than a water project; it is a source of hope, relief, and renewed confidence that government interventions can truly change lives.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, Alhaji (Chief) Dauda O. Momoh, described the project as another milestone in the ongoing effort to improve the welfare of rural dwellers through the NG-CARES Programme.
He explained that the programme was specifically designed to support vulnerable communities by providing critical infrastructure and improving livelihoods.
Momoh expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for his unwavering support and for ensuring the release of counterpart funding required for the successful implementation of the programme.
He noted that the impact of NG-CARES extends beyond physical infrastructure, as it also empowers communities, promotes self-reliance, reduces poverty, and strengthens resilience against economic challenges.
“The objective is not just to construct projects but to improve lives,” he said. “We want communities to feel the direct impact of government interventions and become active participants in their own development.”
In recognition of the community’s commitment and transparency throughout the implementation process, Momoh revealed that Inipo Community would benefit from additional projects under its Community Development Plan.
He also disclosed that requests for further interventions, including street lighting and other social amenities, had already been received and would be considered based on available resources and identified priorities.
The General Manager further assured residents that more communities across Kogi State would soon benefit from projects under the NG-CARES Additional Financing Programme, a partnership between the Kogi State Government and the World Bank.
For the traditional rulers and residents, the occasion was not just a commissioning ceremony but a celebration of a long-awaited dream becoming reality.
The Anoba of Odenku, Drisu Yusuf, and the Head of Arigo Community, Wotu Jatto, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governor Ododo and the KGCSDA for bringing the much-needed intervention to their people.
According to them, the project has significantly reduced the burden on residents who previously travelled several kilometres in search of water.
Also speaking, Saidatu Ahmed Zakari reflected emotionally on the journey that led to the project. She recalled how her late mother tirelessly advocated for years to attract government attention to the community’s water challenges.
With visible joy, she described the commissioning of the borehole as the fulfilment of a vision her mother never stopped pursuing.
As clean water now flows freely in Inipo, it is not just a borehole that has been commissioned; it is hope that has been restored, lives that have been touched, and a community that has been reassured that development is possible when government and citizens work together.
For the people of Inipo, this intervention represents more than access to water. It symbolizes inclusion, progress, and a brighter future. And for the Ododo administration, it is yet another testament to a governance philosophy that prioritizes the welfare of the people and the transformation of rural communities across Kogi State.
… Itodo D Daniels