AMMC declares war against manhole covers, streetlight vandals
By Philip Yatai
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, has declared war on vandals of manhole covers and streetlights in the territory.
The Coordinator of the council, Mr Felix Obuah, made this known in Abuja, while reacting to the unabated vandalism of manhole covers and gully inlet by hoodlums.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) introduced the use of materials with `no resale value’ in the production of manhole covers.
The move, according to the authority’s Head of Public Relations, Mr Richard Nduul, is to discourage criminal elements from stealing and selling them as scrap.
However, in spite of the efforts, vandals continued the heinous act, even when the covers do not have resale value.
The situation is disturbing that even the newly installed manhole covers of the B6 and B12 roads under construction on Independence Avenue in Central Area, Abuja, were being vandalised.
But Ubuah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, that AMMC had concluded plans to take the war to their doorstep to curb the trend.
He said “we want to let the vandals know that we are taking the war to their doorsteps.
“You can see the good roads that are being constructed by FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, unfortunately, most of the manhole covers were being carted away.
“Most of the streetlights have been vandalised. We are no longer going to take it lightly with them.”
He disclosed that a taskforce would be established to further strengthen the clampdown on the manhole cover and streetlight vandals.
He expressed optimism that the law would soon catch up with the vandals, their sponsors and those patronising them.
“I addressed the executives of Apo spare parts dealers, and I told them that they are part of the people fuelling criminal activities in the FCT.
“This is because, if the criminals stole the manhole covers and other electrical equipment and could not get buyers, they would not continue with such acts.
“I told them categorically that they are the major sponsors and financiers of the vandals and that if they can partner with government, most of these things will be a thing of the past.”
The coordinator urged residents to report any suspicious movement around manhole covers to the government. (NAN)
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
Published By
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Editor/Assistant Chief Correspondent,
FCT Correspondent,
NAN Abuja.
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