By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, A’Ibom
After years of grappling with water scarcity and unsafe drinking sources, the people of Ikot Obio Inyang in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State now have access to clean, safe water, thanks to an intervention by the Queen Mother’s Empowerment Foundation (QMEF).
The water project, commissioned on Saturday, April 5, 2025, marks a turning point for the rural community, where residents especially women and girls had for decades trekked long distances daily to fetch dirty, leech-infested water from open sources, often at great risk to their health and safety.
According to Mrs Otu, QMEF’s Financial Coordinator and indigene of the community, who led the commissioning ceremony, “This is not just a water project; it’s a life saving initiative.
“For years, we prayed for a day like this, and I’m proud that our Foundation could make it happen.”
The water facility, powered by a generating set also donated by QMEF, is part of the Foundation’s broader efforts to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
Community leaders, who spoke at the event, described the intervention as both timely and transformational, noting that the project being facilitated by a female indigene highlighted the growing impact of girls’ education in the community.
“Years ago, it was rare to find a girl child completing school in this village, let alone returning to give back in such a big way,” one elder remarked. “This is what education and empowerment look like.”
Dr Ukeme Umoren, Chairperson of QMEF, expressed delight at the project’s successful completion and praised the community for their cooperation.
“Clean water is a fundamental human right,” she said. “It’s also the foundation of good health, and we are committed to ensuring no one is left behind in the drive for development.”
Dr Emmanuel Umoh, QMEF’s Programme Officer in Akwa Ibom, added that the Foundation would continue to implement grassroots-focused projects across the state. He listed other ongoing initiatives, including advocacy against gender-based violence, scholarship schemes, food support for vulnerable women, and empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities.
Community members pledged to safeguard the facility and ensure its long-term use, calling the project a “legacy of hope” for generations to come.