The Mayegun of Isanlu Land, High Chief Olatunde David Dare, has condemned the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources’ directive to evacuate facilities of the Isanlu water project, which it described as ‘verified scrap metals and decommissioned assets’.
In a statement, High Chief Dare, also the Akogun of Itakete-Ide, demanded the immediate suspension of any removal, sale, or disposal of the infrastructure pending a transparent review, full disclosure of documents, and proper community engagement.
He said the project was built in 1983 during the administration of Alhaji Adamu Attah with public funds to serve Isanlu, adding that residents have endured almost two decades without reliable water and electricity.
‘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 chief argued that failure to maintain or revive the facility did not justify disposing of it. He said the government’s duty is to explain why the system failed, assess what could be salvaged, and chart a path to rehabilitation.
He demanded to know who authorised the scrap classification, what technical assessment was conducted, when the assets were formally decommissioned and what became of earlier rehabilitation efforts or appropriations.
Noting that the assets were reportedly being prepared for sale, he asked for the valuation, the technical report showing the facilities were beyond repair, the approving authority, the method of disposal, the public notice issued, the criteria for determining value and where the proceeds would go.
‘If every required process has been followed, government should have no difficulty presenting the documents,’ he said.
High Chief Dare said administrations were temporary while public assets and communities were permanent. He urged the government to leave the facility intact if it could not rehabilitate it, so that a future administration with the capacity could do so.
He also served notice on prospective buyers that the community would closely scrutinise any transaction involving the assets.
‘Where there are questions regarding the legality, transparency or due process of any proposed disposal, we will pursue every lawful administrative, regulatory and judicial avenue available,’ he said, adding that the community would go to court if the decision was not reversed.
He, however, urged Isanlu youths and residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, saying the grievance must be pursued ‘with dignity, restraint and respect for the law’.
‘Government is temporary. Isanlu is permanent,’ he said.