Yendi Assembly dismisses ‘ghost boreholes’ report
The Yendi Municipal Assembly has described as inaccurate a report alleging that some boreholes under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project existed only on paper, saying seven of the 10 boreholes drilled are fully operational and providing potable water to residents.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Muniru Sugri, said three of the 10 sites recorded dry aquifers, making it impossible to drill successful boreholes at Kpatua, Kamshegu and Guntingli.
Briefing journalists in Yendi yesterday, he explained that although the project was originally designed to construct 10 boreholes, resources were redirected to complete and mechanise the seven successful ones after the three sites proved unsuccessful.
The seven beneficiary communities are Gundogu, Meindogu, Kpanjamba No. 1, Kpanjamba No. 2, Dagbanja, Kuni and Kparku.
Mr Sugri was responding to a report published by The Fourth Estate on September 10, 2026, under the headline: ‘Drilled on paper: The SOCO ghost boreholes.’
He said the report did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground and alleged that it was published without the Assembly or SOCO officials being contacted for clarification.
According to him, the project was awarded to M. Gazaali Company Limited on October 16, 2023, at a contract sum of GH¢1,098,350, following hydrogeological and geophysical studies conducted by Geoppexx Enterprise, which identified the 10 beneficiary communities.
He explained that additional works became necessary after the successful drilling, particularly the extension of electricity and water pipelines to some borehole sites located far from the beneficiary communities.
He cited Kuni, where electricity had to be extended by about 1.7 kilometres, Gundogu by one kilometre and Kpanjamba No. 2 by approximately 800 metres.
The MCE said the additional works necessitated a review of the project cost, resulting in approval for a revised contract sum of GH¢1,096,580.80.
He said GH¢1,086,938.40 had subsequently been paid to the contractor, leaving a balance of GH¢11,411.60.
Mr Sugri said officials from the SOCO infrastructure team in Accra, the Tamale Zonal Office and the Yendi Municipal Assembly inspected the affected communities and agreed that the project should be re-costed to accommodate the additional electricity and pipeline works.
He stressed that all seven mechanised boreholes were currently operational and supplying potable water to residents.
The MCE urged journalists to cross-check information with relevant authorities before publishing reports on development projects.
He also appealed to the government, development partners and other stakeholders to support the Municipality in providing sustainable sources of potable water for residents of Yendi and surrounding communities.
The SOCO Project seeks to promote regional collaboration, socio-economic development and climate resilience in border communities in the northern regions of Gulf of Guinea countries exposed to conflict and climate-related risks.
FROM YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, YENDI
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