News
Multi-million naira assets rot away as Ministry of Water Resources fails to hold auction
Assets valued at millions of naira are rotting away at various locations across the country after the planned auction of the items by the Ministry of Water Resources failed to hold.
The items, including unserviceable earth-moving machines and other heavy-duty industrial equipment, had been abandoned at various sites by the ministry for several years, where they have been overtaken by weeds.
Many of the machinery are located at the Gurara Dam in Niger State, as well as Upper and Lower Benue in Doma, and across other sites.
Ekwutosblog reports that the ministry had in a publication dated August 20, 2025, signed by Moses Jo-Madugu, Chairman of the Board of Scraps and Unserviceable Items Committee, announced plans to auction the items.
However, it was gathered that the planned auction was stalled due to alleged conflict of interest among senior ministry officials.
Speaking on the development, President of the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers, Musa Kurra, suggested that the ministry is not sincere about the planned auction.
Kurra said the ministry appeared to be playing games, adding that the officials have refused to follow the due process.
‘’Since August 20, 2025 when the ministry published an advertorial about the planned auction of the heavy-duty machinery and other scraps and unserviceable assets, the officials have kept mum. They refused to release further information about the auction.
“First, the advert is defective and vague; it was supposed to invite auctioneers to submit applications for appointment to sell on their behalf, but this was not done. Also, there were supposed to be second and follow-up adverts for the announcement of dates and location of sales to the public, but this was also not done. Everything is done in secrecy.
“Worse still, they are not involving auctioneers who, by law, are legally mandated to supervise the auction processes. What we learnt is that they have been taking some contractors to the sites where the assets have been left abandoned for several years to rot away. This equipment was bought at millions of naira, but, unfortunately, they were abandoned under the sun and rain and allowed to go bad,” Kurra said.
He accused the ministry’s officials of frustrating the Federal Government’s move to recover money from the abandoned assets.
Kurra further insisted that the auctioneers must be carried along in the disposal of the items, as stipulated by law.
“Now that the government can recover some money from these assets, the ministry has been playing hide-and-seek and refusing to provide clear information on the auction exercise.
“This is unacceptable to the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers. We demand that the right thing be done. The ministry of Water Resources must carry us along, provide the necessary guidelines and ensure that the process leading to the auction and the auction itself are transparent and credible. Our objective is for the government to get value from the auction,” he stressed.
Efforts to get the comments of relevant officials of the ministry concerning the stalled auction were not successful on Tuesday.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s security, saying he feels perfectly safe during his visit to the country. His remarks come amid ongoing reports of insecurity in various parts of Nigeria, making his statement a notable endorsement of the nation’s stability in certain regions.
Johnson made the declaration on Thursday, December 4, 2025, while addressing participants at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, the state capital. He acknowledged having read travel advisories and news reports highlighting security concerns prior to his trip but said his experience has been reassuring.
He said he feels perfectly safe in the country and emphasized that the summit environment and local hospitality contributed to his sense of security. He also asked the audience if they felt safe, receiving an enthusiastic affirmation.
During his visit, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Government for their development initiatives, particularly efforts to provide 24-hour electricity. He highlighted the potential of Nigeria as a hub for innovation and economic growth, noting the opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
While his statements have been welcomed by some as a boost to international confidence in Nigeria, analysts caution that the former prime minister’s experience reflects only a controlled and secure environment within Imo State. Several parts of the country continue to face challenges, including banditry, communal conflicts, and kidnappings.
Nonetheless, Johnson’s visit and remarks are significant, sending a positive message to investors and global observers about Nigeria’s potential for stability and progress. They also underscore the contrast between localized experiences of safety and broader security challenges across the country.
By Emmanuel Iheaka, OWERRI
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that his group will be one of the biggest investors in the state.
Dangote gave the assurance at the opening session of the Imo Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri on Thursday.
The renowned Africa’s industrialist urged Uzodimma to indicate his preferred area of investment and forget the rest.
Dangote described the Imo governor as a personal friend of decades and commended him for providing enabling environment for investment.
“We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo. So, please tell me the area to invest and we will invest”, Dangote declared.
He called on entrepreneurs to always invest at home, adding that foreigners cannot drive the economy of any nation more than the nationals.
“What attracts foreign investors is a domestic investor. Africa has about 30 percent of the world’s minerals. We are blessed,” he submitted.
Dangote reiterated that his refinery was set to launch 1.4 million barrels per day capacity, the highest for any single refinery in the world.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to accept Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s appearance on behalf of his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that he is not a legal practitioner.
Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress
Dangote to Uzodimma: Just show me where to invest
Judge rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s brother court appearance
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