The Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) has called for an independent investigation into the reported auctioning and proposed removal of public waterworks equipment in Ankpa, Isanlu and Dekina–Anyigba, citing concerns over transparency, public asset management and access to safe drinking water.
The coalition of civil society organisations in Kogi State urged the state government and relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported disposals and determine whether due process was followed.
In a statement signed by its Chairperson, Hamza Ibrahim Aliyu, KONGONET stressed that public water facilities were essential social assets acquired and maintained with public funds, adding that any decision to classify equipment as obsolete, sell it or remove its components must be backed by lawful authorization, independent engineering assessments and transparent valuation.
The organization recalled media reports from July 2024 concerning a disputed auction of equipment at the Dekina–Anyigba/Ajetachi water facilities.
It said the Commissioner for Water Resources had reportedly indicated that he was seeking relevant documents and conducting due diligence on a transaction believed to have originated under a previous administration.
KONGONET also cited concerns raised by residents and community representatives in September 2026 over proposed equipment removals from the Isanlu Water Scheme in Yagba East Local Government Area.
On Ankpa, the group referred to a September 2026 civil society report citing a Ministry of Water Resources letter dated September 21, 2026, and an accompanying equipment schedule that reportedly included Akwu Water Works.
According to the coalition, the schedule allegedly listed a 100-kilovolt-ampere generator and an overhead tank among equipment proposed for disposal.
It further noted that the Ankpa Local Government chairman had reportedly inspected the abandoned Ankpa Waterboard site and called for the protection and recovery of its equipment.
However, KONGONET clarified that it had not independently verified the original letter, equipment inventory, condition assessments, sale authorizations or any actual removal of equipment.
The coalition cautioned that the reports did not, on their own, establish that every disposal was unlawful, that any individual had committed an offence or that the reported transactions were responsible for all water supply disruptions.
It said investigations should also examine other possible causes of unreliable water supply, including power failures, ageing infrastructure, vandalism, maintenance deficiencies and financial constraints.
According to KONGONET, failures in public water systems impose additional costs on households, forcing residents to spend more on water vendors, travel long distances to obtain water and risk exposure to unsafe water.
While acknowledging the Kogi State Government’s October 2026 announcement of emergency rehabilitation at Greater Lokoja Water Works, KONGONET called for clear restoration timelines and measurable improvements across affected communities.
The organization outlined six demands to address the concerns.
First, it called for the immediate protection of disputed waterworks equipment and relevant records at Akwu/Ankpa, Isanlu and Dekina–Anyigba, urging authorities to suspend further removals where legally permissible until an independent inventory is completed.
Second, it asked the state government to publish, within 14 days, relevant auction and disposal approvals, the reported September 2026 letter and equipment schedules, engineering reports, valuations, bidding documents, buyers’ details, payment records and evidence that proceeds were remitted to government accounts.
Third, KONGONET urged the Kogi State House of Assembly to convene a public hearing involving qualified engineers and auditors to inspect the affected facilities, engage government officials and residents, and determine whether recoverable equipment had been improperly classified as scrap.
The coalition also called for interim safe water for vulnerable communities and the publication, within 30 days, of a funded rehabilitation plan covering Ankpa, Isanlu, Dekina–Anyigba and Greater Lokoja.
It said the plan should contain site-specific targets, water-quality testing arrangements and monthly public progress reports.
On accountability, KONGONET urged authorities to refer any evidence of forged records, unlawful disposal, collusion, diversion of proceeds, theft or other offences to the appropriate anti-corruption and law-enforcement agencies, as well as the Attorney-General, for investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with due process.
Finally, it advocated establishing a public water infrastructure asset register, conducting regular technical audits, publishing water production and service reliability data, and involving residents and civil society organizations in monitoring public assets and rehabilitation contracts.
KONGONET called on the governor, the State House of Assembly, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Water Board, and relevant investigative authorities to treat the matter as a public health, public finance, and citizens’ welfare issue.
