A FORMER Dundee man has played a pivotal role in helping to bring running water to a pair of remote villages in Africa.

Captain Brian Duff (38) was part of a six-man crew from 521 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Water Development), part of 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group.

After five weeks’ effort, fresh running water came to the villages of Kpalusogu and Koshibu in northern Ghana.

Now thousands of people can access safe drinking water, free from the threat of illnesses.

Working with charity St Dunstans, which provides life-long care for blind ex-servicemen and women, the team connected a 5.7-kilometre pipeline to the region’s water supply.

The project will help around 2400 people.

Captain Duff, a former pupil of Craigie High School now based at Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell, said, “The villagers themselves dug the trench and laid the pipeline, all overseen by ourselves.

“They are a proud people and needed to take ownership of the project.

“They were all willing to do the work, but they required the direction and needed to be shown how to do it correctly.”

Captain Duff, who is married with two teenage children, said completing the new pipeline was a memory he would cherish for the rest of his life.

“It was amazing to see a line of up to 70 men digging.

“They were all so keen and happy to be playing a part,” he said.

“Whilst the men were digging, two men walked up and down, one hammering a drum whilst the other was on percussions.

“When we hit water at the bore hole it was just a tremendous feeling.

“The villagers were jumping up and down, screaming and dancing.

“It was just fantastic to see their faces light up with joy.

“The feeling was just indescribable and the memory will stay with all the team for a long time to come.”

The soldier admitted it was hard work, especially in the 50-degree heat, but said it was all worthwhile.

He added, “It’s a great feeling and we are all proud to have been able to play a part.”