The commissioning of the project.
By Anietie Akpan
The Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) Water of Life’ Project at Ikot Offiong community in Ikono Clan, Uyo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State has been inaugurated.
This, according to the release dated January 14 from the Media Unit, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, reaffirmed the commitment of the GIFA to improving the living conditions of rural inhabitants.
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, who inaugurated the project, described it as a representation of life, hope and dignity for the people, explaining that the solar-powered potable water facility aligns with GIFA’s environmental health thematic area and complements the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, by ensuring access to clean and sustainable water at the grassroots.
“This project is a key pillar of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All, specifically under our thematic area of improving environmental health, where we are working to ensure that my mother’s vision for a healthier, more prosperous Akwa Ibom, is realised at the grassroots level, to complement the “ARISE Agenda” of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, through the provision of accessible and sustainable potable water”.
The Coordinator who announced that the Ikot Offiong facility is the ninth project completed under the GIFA Water of Life scheme, added that as the initiative approaches its second anniversary on February 20, it has a clear mandate to extend the intervention to identified rural communities in all the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
“I am particularly happy with the joy expressed by the residents of this community and adjoining villages over this project which signifies hope; that regardless of where you are or where your community is located, the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, is able and willing to reach you.
“We remain committed to reaching the ‘unreached’ and this is just one of many steps we are taking to ensure that the dividends of democracy trickle down to the grassroots, in this case, providing solar-powered potable water in communities where it is actually needed.
“We all know the ancient saying that ‘Water is Life’, and without clean water; health declines, businesses stall, and the burden of trekking long distances falls heavily on our mothers and children, leaving the children exhausted and away from school, an outcome that frustrates GIFA’s literacy and learning initiative. It is for this reason that the “Water of Life” project was birthed, from Her Excellency, Pastor Patience Umo Eno’s deep compassion for the everyday struggles of our people, a legacy that we are striving to uphold.”
Lady Obareki urged the community to take ownership of the facility by ensuring proper maintenance and protection, calling on community leaders and youths to establish a committee to safeguard the project.
The wife of the Chairman of Uyo LGA and President of WALGON, Mrs Akaninyene Udo, commended GIFA for their initiative, describing it as a game-changer that has brought light, life, and hope to the community, while aligning with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE vision.
The team lead of GIFA, Pastor Anne Abraham stated that the Water of Life project, has provided access to clean water to rural communities in eight beneficiary LGAs in the State, with Ikot Offiong marking the beginning of a new phase in 2026.
Goodwill messages were received from the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah, the wife of the member representing Uyo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs Idongesit Asuquo and the wife of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Emem Anieti, applauded Lady Obareki for sustaining the vision of the GIFA and for positively impacting families in rural communities.
They expressed their appreciation over Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to the transformation of rural communities in the state, noting that his unwavering support for GIFA’s programmes has brought prosperity, hope, joy, good health, and educational advancement to women and children throughout the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Ikot Offiong community, the Village Head, Eteidung Friday James Umoh, and the Youth Leader of the area, Comrade Anietie Uwa, expressed their gratitude to GIFA for alleviating their long journeys to the stream, which was about 1 kilometre away, to fetch water.
They pledged to protect the newly established water facility from vandalism and appealed for solar-powered street lights to illuminate the area.
On his part, the Technical Officer of GIFA, Mr James Ekanem who presented the project overview, listed the specifications of the water project to include a 250-feet deep well, a 14,000-litre storage capacity, and six solar panels of 350 watts each that power the water facility.
Additionally and as part of efforts to bless the lives of the women in the community who heartily celebrated the provision of potable water, Lady Obareki presented some elderly women in the area with wrappers and financial support to enhance their well-being and support their small businesses.
The coordinator of the office of the First Lady and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, was accompanied to the ceremony by the wife of the member representing Nsit Atai State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs Affiong Attah; the wife of the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Grace Umoh; the wife of the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Mrs Edidiong Inyang and a former Dean of the College of Commissioners, Dr Glory Edet.
