Vandalism of manhole covers, guardrails, road lights worries Lagos residents
By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe
Some Lagos residents on Sunday raised concerns over rising cases of vandalism of manhole covers guardrails, solar lights and other road safety fittings in the state.
The residents expressed worry that the fittings had been stolen from streets and major roads in various parts of the commercial centre, describing the act as wicked and shameful.
They spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The residents expressed the concern as the Federal Government vowed to take stronger measures to tackle the menace.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Mr Olumide Adewebi, condemned the increasing trend of infrastructure vandalism across Nigeria.
He described it as a direct attack on public safety, the economy and national development.
“These stolen items are not just metal parts. They are key parts of our transport and safety systems.
“Their theft causes accidents, costs the government billions of Naira, and puts lives at risk,” he said.
Adewebi blamed the menace on poverty, unemployment, poor enforcement, and a booming black market for scrap metal.
He outlined several solutions including tighter surveillance, regulation of scrap metal business, use of smart technologies for detection, and stronger community policing.
He also urged Nigerians to take responsibility for protecting public property.
“These infrastructure are not just government property, they belong to us all.
“When we allow them to be destroyed, we all suffer the consequences,” he said.
He recommended strict punishments for vandals, including a minimum of five years’ imprisonment, heavy fines, seizure of assets, and community service.
Adewebi called for joint efforts from professionals, security agents and other citizens to protect public infrastructure and ensure they would serve future generations.
A resident of Ikotun, Mrs Iyabo Ogundele, described vandalism of manhole covers as a wicked and shameful act.
“ These people are not just stealing; they are putting lives in danger.
“What if someone falls into an open manhole at night or during rainfall?
“The government cannot do everything. We, the people, must protect what is ours,” she said.
A trader at Ejigbo Market, Mr Ayo Babatunde, said: “I have seen youths trying to unscrew lights.
“Sometimes, we shout and they run away but sometimes they come after us.
“If police don’t arrest and punish them, they will keep coming.
“Government should work with local people. We are ready to help if they take us serious.”
A student of Yaba College of Technology, Miss Chinasa Ezeokafo, expressed satisfaction at the Federal Government’s efforts at replacing guardrails with concrete barriers.
“ Iron is easy to carry away.
“The government should also talk to scrap metal buyers.
”Those who buy stolen items are part of the problem,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, told NAN that the Federal Government was already taking measures to tackle the trend by replacing easily-vandalised iron guardrails with concrete barriers.
“At places such as Iganmu Bridge, we are replacing iron guardrails with concrete ones because vandals find them harder to steal or destroy,” she said.
She appealed to the mass media and the general public to help in educating people about the dangers and cost of vandalism.
“Journalists have a key role in sensitising the public.
“People must learn to speak up. When you see something, say something. Report to the police or other relevant agencies.
“Look at the people around the Mowe axis, they are helping to protect solar lights by alerting the DPO in that area,” she said.
On manhole covers, Kesha said that the government had replaced many of them, but some people still stole them at night.
“These things are provided for public good.
“Communities must help by taking ownership and reporting offenders,” she added.
She told NAN that many solar lights and cat eyes on the Third Mainland Bridge had been stolen.
“Even after welding the solar lights in place, people still went there and cut them off.
“However, CCTV on the bridge is active, and we have caught some of them.
“People don’t believe the cameras are working, but they are,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
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