The Nlombe Mission water borehole project was initiated by Rodeo Development Limited (today Gaz du Cameroun) in 2012, to meet the needs of the local Ndogpassi community.
The goal of the project was to build a sustainable borehole that would provide access to clean and safe drinking water. Due to a lack of hygienic water supplies in the area, local residents were forced to travel long distances to get drinking water.
Before the maintenance work (March 2014)
During the stakeholder and public consultations conducted for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the project (2010-2011), the community requested the following provisions from RDL (Cf. ESIA P.6-65):
- The provision of socio-urban infrastructures such as hospitals, road, schools, potable water, etc. ;
- The provision of hydrocarbon royalties;
- The improvement of local recruitment procedures
At every step of the process, RDL worked closely with the Ndogpassi community to determine the best solution to the water crises in the area. In January 2013, RDL commissioned a local water supply company to build a borehole at Nlombe Mission (a neighborhood in Ndogpassi). The borehole was constructed on a piece of land given by the local population, in an area designated by the Divisional Officer.
RDL decided to install a solar powered borehole pump which requires no fuel and which the community can easily maintain without additional costs. Sample water was also analyzed to ensure potability.
The inauguration ceremony of the borehole took place on March 7, 2013. Today, access to clean water among the residents has reduced water-borne diseases in the area. According to reports from the local chief, the borehole is currently being used by residents of the Nlombe Mission and Logmayangui neighborhoods, and ensures water supply to nearly 2,500 inhabitants or 500 households. Furthermore, the Nlombe mission borehole is one of two free access boreholes in the area; the other 4 are private.
In March 2014, local residents requested financial assistance from GDC to maintain the borehole. Cameroon Power and Lighting Company was commissioned for this follow-up project, including painting local resident facilities for drilling management and maintenance.
After the works maintenance (April 2014)
