Fidelity Bank donates solar-powered water facility to Akwa-Ibom community
In a bid to improve the welfare of its host communities, Fidelity Bank Plc has donated a solar-powered borehole facility to Eyosung Community in Udung Uko Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
The donation, initiated by the bank’s Risk Management Directorate under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), aims to provide clean water to over 8,000 community members, including 2,500 students and 25 teachers at the local community school.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Kelvin Ugwuoke, who was represented by Mrs. Kufre Edem, Regional Bank Head, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom, Fidelity Bank Plc, noted that the solar-powered water facility was a testament to the bank’s commitment to improving the welfare of its host communities.
According to Ugwuoke, “The water project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and it will positively impact on the lives of no fewer than 8,000 persons in the community.
The project is expected to positively impact 2,500 students and 25 teachers at the local community school.
It will also serve the water need of 5,000 individuals, representing 1,000 households.
It will reduce their reliance on unsafe water sources and minimize the distance and time spent on fetching water.”
Ugwuoke emphasized the bank’s commitment to fostering positive change in the society, noting that,
“This initiative underscores Fidelity Bank’s commitment to making meaningful contributions toward combating poverty, reducing diseases, improving access to education, and enhancing the quality of life in under-served communities.”
He highlighted some of the bank’s other CSR initiatives, including the Fidelity Food Bank initiative, which has distributed thousands of food packs to vulnerable communities across Nigeria since April 2023.
Additionally, through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, the bank has successfully implemented numerous projects, including the renovation of school blocks, donation of essential items to orphanages, and the construction of classrooms and sports facilities.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by Mr. Frank Archibong, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, commended Fidelity Bank for the kind gesture, noting that the project was in alliance with the ARISE agenda of his administration.
He urged the community to take ownership of the project by ensuring good maintenance culture in its usage.
Appreciating the gesture from the bank, the Council Chairman of Udung Uko, Mr. Godwin Okponung, commended Fidelity Bank and appealed for more people-oriented projects in the area.
He also promised to safeguard the project from vandalism.
Ranked as one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 8.3 million customers across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, as well as through its digital channels.
It was also honoured as Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the 2023 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, and more recently, at the 2024 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, Fidelity Bank Plc was recognized as MSME Bank of the Year and Export Financing Bank of the Year.
