As a way of giving back to the society, the Ben Akak Foundation has extended her benevolence to Crossriverians by taking up the task of providing a source of water supply (borehole) for the Watt Market Community, in Calabar South, Cross River State.
For the Ben Akak Foundation, it is the third face of the exercise in the state. The first was at Yala local government area in the Northern Senatorial District of the state, the second was at Ugep, Yakurr local government area in the Central Senatorial district and today witnessed the site taking for the borehole project at Watt Market, Calabar South in the Southern Senatorial District.
Speaking during the site taking ceremony, the chairman Ben Akak Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak represented by Mr. Cyril Akak noted that there is need for proper sanitation and hygiene in the market where he once sold. He also observed that it is necessary for water to be made available so that hands and food items can be properly washed.
“His Royal Majesty and his cabinet, the market president and his cabinet, members of Ben Akak Foundation here present, gentlemen of the press, distinguish ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Ben Akak Foundation, headed by no other person than Mr. Ben Akak has directed that there is need for proper sanitization and Hygiene in a market where he once sold. Based on that, with the able directive and advice of His Royal Majesty, the Muri Munene of Efut that there is need for a borehole to be drilled and an extension stand erected in the market to serve the people here. We are aware of the pandemic that is ravaging the world, we are aware that there is need for proper sanitization, there is need for us to properly wash our hands and whatsoever we need to buy in this market, hence the reason why the foundation deemed it necessary that a borehole be drilled to serve the market.” He said.
He further stated that the foundation in a bit to achieve a successful project, thought it wise to collaborate with the paramount rulers of Efut, the market association and the Calabar South local government area.
“On that note, since it has to do with land, Ben Akak Foundation desire that the owners of the land would come around and do the ground breaking in conjunction with the market association and the Calabar South local government council” he added.
Also speaking, the Muri Munene of Efut and the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, Muri Munene Professor Itam Hogan Itam lauded the Ben Akak Foundation for the love
“The great Ben Akak Foundation, members of my cabinet and the Market association, today mark a mile stone in both the life of Akak Foundation and Calabar South local government area, we are jointly going to give you water because water is life. This is the site of the borehole, we will hand over the water to you the president of the market association, you own it, and the market owns it. This means that you will protect it, you will administer it, and you will make sure that it works and that there is no vanderlization. Everybody must have access to the use of water because we are not selling it to you, it is a gift. Therefore you must extend the benefit of the gift to all your members.” He said.
Muri Munene Professor Itam Hogan Itam also added that the gift from the Ben Akak Foundation is not a political gift and has nothing to do with any political party. According to him, it is out of the benevolence of The Akak Foundation and the support of the Calabar South local government council and the Efut community that the benefit has come and encourage the president of the market association to devise a means to maintain the borehole and never to overcharge people.
“The gift from the Ben Akak Foundation is not a political gift and has nothing to do with any political party. According to him, it is out of the benevolence of The Akak Foundation and the support of the Calabar South local government council and the Efut community that you are getting this benefit. Please devise a way to administer it so that you have enough money to service the machine when it gets spoilt, but please don’t overcharge people” he added.
Meanwhile, Muri Ekpo Eyo prayed to God almighty appreciating him for the gift from The Ben Akak Foundation and the privileged gift of life and asked for more of God blessing upon the Foundation.
The traditional rights was also performed by the most senior Muri in Efut, the Muri of Ekondo Ancestral Clan where the Watt market is situated calling on the ancestors to bless the project and cause it to succeed.
While responding to the gesture by the Ben Akak Foundation, the President of the Capital Traders Umbrella Association, Watt Market, Elder Ededet Andem on behalf of the Association, commended the show of love by the Ben Akak Foundation stating that indeed it is a gift of life.
“On behalf of the Capital Traders Umbrella Association, Watt Market, we are very glad to have this project that will be carried out by the Ben Akak Foundation, it is said that water is life and if you give water you give life.” He said.
He also, stated that the market before now has been sustained by only one borehole which has not been able to meet the demands of the market. And therefore appreciated the gift of another borehole from Ben Akak Foundation.
“We have only one borehole in Watt Market, but having this one from Ben Akak is a very laudable one and we really do appreciate it. When it is fully completed we will rejoice more than this” he added.
Other traders have appreciated the Ben Akak Foundation for the gift stating that it will be used well and maintained. He also appreciated the Calabar South Director of Works, Engr. Pius Enaku who was present in the ground breaking ceremony.
On behalf of the Calabar South Council, Engr Pius Enaku thanked the Ben Akak Foundation for deeming it necessary to drill a borehole to solve sanitary problems in the market and thanked the paramount rulers for their support.
Also commenting, one of the directors of the Ben Akak Foundation Mr. Ogbeche Otogbo, the donation of the borehole was not done unilaterally, but was done in collaboration with the Calabar South local government council and the Watt market people who are the ultimate beneficiary of and the entire people of Calabar South, with the full support of the paramount ruler of Calabar South.
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