Isanlu Water Asset Is Not Scrap, Government Must Not Abandon Our People — High Chief Dare
By Our Correspondent
High Chief Olatunde David Dare, the Mayegun of Isanlu Land and Akogun of Itakete-Ide, has condemned the reported decision by the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources to evacuate facilities belonging to the Isanlu Water Project, describing the infrastructure as a public asset established to serve the people of the community and not mere scrap metal.
Dare, in a strongly worded statement, said the Isanlu Water Project was constructed in 1983 during the administration of Alhaji Adamu Attah specifically to provide water for the Isanlu community.
He expressed concern that after years of inadequate water and electricity services in the community, government was allegedly moving to remove what remained of the water infrastructure instead of exploring ways to rehabilitate and restore it.
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According to him, government’s failure to maintain or revive public infrastructure should not become the justification for disposing of it.
“Government cannot abandon a public asset, allow it to deteriorate through years of neglect and then use the consequences of that neglect as the justification for getting rid of the asset,” he said.
The traditional title holder demanded clarification from the government on the circumstances surrounding the reported classification of the water facilities as “verified scrap metals and decommissioned assets.”
He asked the authorities to disclose who authorised the classification, the technical assessment conducted on the facilities, when the assets were formally decommissioned and what became of previous efforts or appropriations intended for their rehabilitation.
Dare also demanded details of any proposed sale or disposal, including the valuation of the assets, the technical report establishing whether they are beyond rehabilitation, the authority approving the disposal, the method to be adopted and the destination of any proceeds from the transaction.
He maintained that if the facilities are genuinely beyond rehabilitation, the government should make the technical evidence available to the people of Isanlu and explain publicly why disposal is being preferred to restoration.
Dare argued that public assets should not be permanently destroyed simply because a particular administration is unable to rehabilitate them.
“If the present administration cannot rehabilitate the facility, then leave it intact. If it cannot fund the work, let another administration do it,” he said.
He added that infrastructure regarded as unserviceable today could become the foundation for a future solution if preserved.
The community leader said the people of Isanlu had endured years without adequate public water and prolonged electricity challenges, stressing that removing the remaining infrastructure could further compound their difficulties.
He therefore called for the immediate suspension of any evacuation, removal, sale or disposal of the Isanlu Water Project infrastructure pending a transparent review, full disclosure of relevant documentation and proper engagement with the Isanlu community.
Dare further warned prospective buyers to exercise caution regarding any transaction involving the assets, saying the Isanlu community would scrutinise any proposed disposal and pursue lawful administrative, regulatory and judicial avenues if necessary.
“If this decision is not reversed, we will certainly take legal action through the appropriate channels,” he declared, stressing that the community’s position was to defend its interests through lawful means.
He, however, appealed to youths and residents of Isanlu to remain peaceful and law-abiding, urging them to pursue their grievances with dignity, restraint and respect for the law.
“Our legitimate grievance must be pursued with dignity, restraint and respect for the law,” he said, urging the people not to allow frustration to lead to actions that could undermine their cause.
Dare insisted that the water project remains part of Isanlu’s history and represents a continuing public responsibility.
“What we will not accept is a situation where our community is denied water for years and then told that the remains of the system built to provide that water are now scrap,” he said.
He stressed that government administrations are temporary while communities and public assets remain, adding that no administration should permanently close the possibility of restoring an infrastructure established for the benefit of the people.
“Our water is not scrap. Our assets are not scrap. Our heritage is not scrap. Our future is certainly not scrap,” Dare declared.
“If government cannot fix it, leave it for us. If government cannot revive it, preserve it for those who will.”
He called on the Kogi State Government to reconsider the reported disposal plan and engage the Isanlu community on a sustainable pathway for preserving and, ultimately, restoring the water project.
Copy of the acknowledged letter addressed to the local government area attached
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper September 24, 2026
