Navy Donates 60,000-litre Solar Water Project To Kwara Community

The Nigerian Navy has commissioned an industrial solar-powered borehole and water reticulation project it donated to Esie community in Irepodun local government area of Kwara State.

The project, executed under the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme, was done in honour of Rear Admiral Ibrahim Mohammed-Katsina (rtd), a son-in-law of Esie Kingdom, and the late Princess Basirat Babalola Mohammed-Katsina.

On behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the director of Veteran Affairs at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Raheem Taofeeq, said the intervention reflected the Navy’s determination to contribute to national development beyond its core duty of protecting the country’s territorial integrity.
He said the Special Intervention Quick Impact Project, which started in 2024, was designed to deepen civil-military cooperation and support the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These projects are avenues for the Nigerian Navy to honour its accomplished senior officers and an indication that beyond physically securing lives and properties, we are committed to serving the interests of Nigerians through other ways,” he said.

Taofeeq said the Esie project includes an industrial solar-powered borehole, a water reticulation network, a 60,000-litre overhead tank and five water distribution points for residents.

He added that the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s drive to improve the welfare of Nigerians through practical community-based interventions.

Commending Rear Admiral Mohammed-Katsina for sponsoring the project, he said the retired naval officer had shown uncommon compassion and commitment to humanitarian service.

While congratulating the sponsor and the community on the completion of the project, Taofeeq urged the beneficiaries to protect the facility for sustainability.

“We wish to enjoin the beneficiaries to use the facilities responsibly so that they will endure,” he said.

He further appealed to residents of Esie Kingdom and Kwara State to continue to cooperate with the Nigerian Navy, the Armed Forces and other security agencies in confronting threats to peace and national security.

He also thanked the Esie community and the Kwara State Government for their support during the execution of the project, describing their cooperation as key to its successful completion.

In his remarks, the Elesie of Esie Kingdom, Oba Yakub Gboola Babalola expressed joy over the project and urged indigenes of the community to emulate the kind gesture of Rear Admiral Mohammed-Katsina.