MNJTF COMMISSIONS SOLAR-POWERED BOREHOLE IN BORNO
As part of a broader peacebuilding and community development initiative in Nigeria’s North-East, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has commissioned a state-of-the-art, solar-powered borehole in Fulatari, a community in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
The borehole, equipped with a 10-cubic-meter tank and cutting-edge water purification technology, was inaugurated by the MNJTF’s Force Commander, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who handed it over to the grateful residents of the conflict-affected region. In a statement released by the task force’s Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the project was described as a milestone in efforts to stabilise communities recovering from insurgency.
General Mutkut acknowledged the financial and technical support of the European Union and its partners, and stressed that access to clean water was a fundamental human need that would contribute to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for residents.
“We believe this borehole will go a long way in reducing water-borne diseases and easing the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs),” he said. “We urge the community to take ownership of this facility and manage it properly. This is not a one-time gesture—how well it is used will determine future development efforts.”
Also speaking at the event, Commander of MNJTF Sector 3, Major General Mohammed Babayo, said the project reflects the task force’s dedication to restoring dignity and hope to people ravaged by conflict. He noted that the borehole aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on clean water, good health, and sustainable communities.
Dennis Tavernier, a representative of Defence Council International (DCI), explained that the borehole includes micro filters, a chrome dispenser, and solar-powered treatment systems to ensure high water quality. He praised the collaboration between MNJTF, DCI, and the EU in creating the conditions necessary for displaced communities to return to their ancestral homes.
The local government chairman of Monguno, Liman Kala, thanked the MNJTF for the intervention, calling it a life-changing gesture that would resonate across the community. “This shows that we have not been forgotten,” he said. “We see this as a promise that better days are coming.”
