Home to over 600 households, Lozaphuhu village has long struggled with acute water scarcity, particularly from December to March. The village depended on three springs and two of this yield less than 20% of their daily requirement. Many families were forced to buy water from private water suppliers or walk several kilometres to fetch it – placing a heavy burden especially on women. But that changed this week.
On November 5, a solar-powered water pumping system was inaugurated at Mudobu spring, marking what many villagers call a “turning point” in their struggle against water scarcity. Funded through Titan Company Limited’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and implemented by the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), the project replaces the village’s old diesel pump with a fully solar-based system.
The installation, comprising 30 solar panels of 545 watts each, powers a 5 HP submersible pump capable of lifting 30,000 litres of water per hour to a storage tank 300 metres uphill. The system is automated with a floating sensor to regulate pumping based on water levels, ensuring efficiency even on cloudy days.
Speaking at the inauguration, Khusuzo Khamo, Chairman of Lozaphuhu Village Council, expressed gratitude to Titan Company Limited and NEIDA, saying the initiative “has not only addressed a basic need but given the village a model for sustainable development.”
Sridhar NE, Chief Sustainability Officer at Titan, who unveiled the commemorative plaque, said, “Water security is not just a basic need but is the foundation of thriving communities.
This initiative in Lozaphuhu is a powerful example of how local ownership, appropriate technology, and committed partnerships can create lasting impact.”
The project, dedicated through a prayer led by Shetazolu Vese, caretaker of the village prayer house, forms part of Titan’s Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP), currently active in 37 villages across Phek district. The programme, implemented by NEIDA, focuses on water security through springshed management, soil and water conservation, and livelihood support in agriculture and traditional weaving.
Beyond improving access to clean water, the solar system is expected to cut fuel costs and eliminate pollution caused by diesel pumps – a small but significant step toward cleaner rural infrastructure.
