Sobi Community Debunks Borehole Diversion Claims, Says Senator Mustapha’s Project Remains Public:
The leadership and residents of Zul-Qarnain Street, Sobi, Ilorin, have dismissed reports alleging that a motorised borehole facilitated by the Senator representing Kwara Central, Senator Saliu Mustapha, was diverted for private use.
In a clarification issued by the community leadership and made available to the media, the residents explained that the water project was initiated in response to a request from the community to address persistent water challenges in the area.
According to the statement, the eventual location of the borehole was determined after a hydrogeological survey established the most suitable points with sufficient underground water within the immediate vicinity.
The community explained that the location initially proposed for the project was found unsuitable because it could not yield enough water to adequately serve residents.
It added that only two viable points were identified within the area, but both were situated on private properties. Following consultations, the owner of one of the properties—who is an aide to Senator Mustapha—agreed to accommodate the borehole installation for the benefit of the wider community.
The residents stressed that although the borehole infrastructure and water storage facility are located within the premises, the public water collection point is positioned outside the property and remains accessible to residents.
The community leadership expressed concern that images circulating on social media appeared to focus only on the borehole structure within the private premises, without showing the public fetching point through which residents access the water.
It described the presentation as capable of creating a misleading impression that the facility had been converted to private use, insisting that the project continues to serve the community.
The residents therefore invited members of the public and anyone interested in verifying the claims to visit Zul-Qarnain Street, Sobi, to inspect the facility and observe how residents access the water.
The community leadership also appealed to political actors and members of the public to avoid allowing political disagreements to distort facts surrounding developmental projects intended to benefit residents.
While rejecting the alleged diversion of the facility, the community expressed appreciation to Senator Saliu Mustapha for responding to its water needs and called for more interventions that would improve access to basic amenities across Kwara Central.
The clarification was signed by Alhaji Bashir Mayaki, Chairman, Zul-Qarnain Street, Sobi, on behalf of the community leadership and residents.
