The Bayelsa Educational Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and Rotary International, District 9141 have inaugurated a water project for Community Secondary School, Okutukutu in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa, Dr. Gentle Emelah, performed the inauguration and drank from the tap on Tuesday.

Emelah commended the EDTF for securing partnership with Rotary Club to fund the 5,000-litre capacity water project.

Executive Secretary at EDTF, Dr. Alice Atuwo, applauded Rotary International for collaborating with the fund in the water project under its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) support programme for schools in Bayelsa.

She noted that the support from District 9141 of Rotary was commendable and should be emulated by other organisations as governments across countries cannot fund education alone.

She explained that provision of water in schools ensures a hygienic environment to prevent the students from contracting water-borne diseases and reduce absenteeism.

Speaking at the ceremony, District Governor of Rotary International, District 9141 comprising Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo, Mr. Emeke Utebor, noted that the partnership with EDTF was an opportunity to render service to the society.

Emeke noted that Rotary International was providing grants to provide electronic learning support and electronic libraries for eligible schools, adding that technology-aided learning was bridging the gap between rural and urban students.

He said that Rotary International was eager to extend the collaboration with EDTF in other spheres of education.

Principal of the benefiting school, Dr. Fineboy Ezekiel, thanked EDTF and Rotary Club for the gesture and pledged to protect the water project and use it judiciously.

“We will not let you down, we are grateful and will want to be considered for the E-Library project, as you can see, our premises is fenced and secured,” Ezekiel said.

•PHOTO:Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa, Dr. Gentle Emelah inaugurated a water project for Community Secondary School, Okutukutu in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Tuesday 22 August, 2023.