Anthony Village NGCHUKS LIONS CLUB Commissions Power Supply for Health Centre

The Lions Club International, through the Anthony Village NGCHUKS Lions Club, has commissioned a power supply project at the Anthony Village Primary Health Care Centre to support an existing water facility and improve service delivery.

The newly commissioned project includes the installation of an electricity meter and connection of power to the facility, enabling the previously completed water system to function effectively.

Speaking at the event, the Immediate Past President, LION EKENE AJIRI-UWUSEBA, NLCF explained that the intervention was part of a phased effort to address water challenges in the community.

She said the club had earlier executed a water project after identifying the difficulty residents faced in accessing potable water, particularly in nearby underserved areas.

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“We went to a place called Snake Island during one of our field developments, and we realised that they don’t actually have potable water. To get water, they go very far, so it’s quite far for them to fetch water. We saw that here is the nearest, because the place is just a slum,” she said.

LION AJIRI-UWUSEBA noted that the water infrastructure, including the tank and related installations, had already been completed under a previous administration within the club.

“My Zone Chair, who was the president at that time, started a water project. I came in, concluded the term, and did everything,” she said.

She explained that the absence of electricity limited the effectiveness of the project, as water pumping could not be sustained.

“This place doesn’t have light, there’s no electricity. We can’t use a generator to be pumping water and then say we are serving people,” she added.

According to her, the club later identified the need to provide a reliable power source to support the existing water facility, leading to the current intervention.

“We saw the need to get a meter and draw wire from Newcastle to this place. We bought the cables, we got everything and connected it,” she said.

She added that the current leadership of the club completed the power connection project, which was formally commissioned.

“So that’s what we’re here to commission today, the meter, to be able to pump water and feed the people and make life easier for them,” she said.

She noted that the intervention would ensure that the water system operates consistently whenever electricity is available.

“To think how excited people were, it would have been very disappointing when they realised that this cannot come every day because of the power situation. Now the water will run as long as there’s power. It’s just amazing,” she said.

The Zone Chairperson, Region 4 District, LION Pascal-Okoye, NLCF also expressed satisfaction with the completion of the project, noting that it solves a major sustainability issue.

“I feel very happy about this project. Initially, we identified the need for potable water and quickly provided a borehole. However, we later discovered there was no electricity at the Primary Health Care Centre. We had been relying on a generator to pump water, and with rising fuel costs, that was not sustainable,” she said.

She further explained the technical steps taken by the Anthony Village NGCHUKS Lions Club to ensure the facility was properly integrated into the grid.

“We decided to install a meter. We purchased all necessary materials, including armored cables, and worked with the electricity provider to connect power to the facility. Now, we are confident that water will be available daily. We have even set aside funds to ensure the meter is regularly powered each month,” she added.

Also speaking, District Governor 404A3 Nigeria, LION MARY ONU, PMJF NLCF commended the club for sustaining the project and addressing critical gaps affecting its impact.

“I’d like to congratulate all the members of the club, the leadership, Zone, Region, and all that have made this possible. This is indeed heartwarming,” she said.

She noted that such interventions demonstrate the importance of continuity in community development projects.

“It just makes our journey as Lions worthwhile. So congratulations again to all the members,” she added.

LION ONU also acknowledged collaboration with local authorities and encouraged continued partnership.

“I hope the local government is aware of the amazing job you are doing and appreciates it because we’ve been working hand in hand with the councillor,” she said.

The commissioning included a formal dedication of the project, with prayers offered for its sustainability and impact.

“As we commission this power supply, we commit all the members that have put into this project, their hearts, their pockets, and even those who wished to be part of this but could not,” she said.

“We pray that everything that pertains to this water and this health centre, the healing of whoever comes here shall be successful. And for those that have made this happen, may God continue to make great things happen in their lives,” she added.

The project is expected to improve access to clean water and strengthen healthcare services at the facility by ensuring continuous operation of the existing water system.