One of the most significant measures of good governance is the ability of a government to provide basic services to its citizens, especially those in underserved rural areas. At the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), our mission to promote accountability and citizen participation often brings us into contact with communities whose voices have long gone unheard.
Through sustained advocacy, strategic media engagement, and community mobilization, CITAD has helped empower thousands in local communities in Kunchi local government to speak out and demand access to one of the most essential resources for survival, clean water.
For decades, nearly half of the communities in Kunchi Local Government Area struggled to access clean water for daily use. Women and children were forced to walk long distances to fetch water, often from unsafe sources. The situation posed serious health risks and hindered the well-being and productivity of entire families.
In response, CITAD stepped in not just as an organization, but as a facilitator of voices. Through our community engagement strategies, we amplified the concerns of the affected residents. Working closely with media, and community people, we raised public awareness about the severity of the crisis and demanded urgent government intervention.
The campaign gained significant traction. Thanks to the public pressure generated by our coordinated media outreach and strategic storytelling, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources was compelled to respond. In a remarkable show of impact, the ministry undertook the construction of over 100 boreholes across Kunchi’s affected communities, bringing clean, accessible water to thousands of people.
The momentum created by the campaign inspired individual philanthropists, and local NGOs to also take action. Many of them followed suit by funding and constructing additional boreholes, further expanding access to safe water beyond the government’s initial intervention.
This success story demonstrates the power of media advocacy and community mobilization in promoting accountability and delivering development. By equipping rural communities with the tools and platforms to raise their concerns, CITAD is helping to build a governance culture where citizens are active participants, not passive recipients.
This also highlights how a multi-stakeholder approach, involving government, media, civil society, and individuals, can lead to sustainable solutions, especially in areas where institutional neglect has left communities vulnerable.