Lagos: 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, 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. Adewebi highlighted that the stolen items are crucial components of transport and safety systems, and their theft results in accidents and significant financial losses, while also endangering lives.
Adewebi attributed the issue to factors such as poverty, unemployment, poor enforcement, and a booming black market for scrap metal. He suggested solutions including tighter surveillance, regulation of the scrap metal business, the use of smart technologies for detection, and stronger community policing. He also emphasized the importance of citizens taking responsibility for protecting public property and recommended strict punishments for vandals.
Residents like Mrs. Iyabo Ogundele from Ikotun voiced their concerns, describing the vandalism as wicked and dangerous, noting the risks it poses to public safety. Mr. Ayo Babatunde, a trader at Ejigbo Market, shared experiences of witnessing theft attempts and urged collaboration between the government and local people to address the issue. Miss Chinasa Ezeokafo, a student, expressed satisfaction with the government’s efforts to replace guardrails with concrete barriers and suggested addressing the role of scrap metal buyers in the problem.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, informed NAN about ongoing measures to tackle the issue, including replacing iron guardrails with concrete ones in certain areas. She stressed the importance of public education on the dangers and costs of vandalism and encouraged the public to report such activities to the authorities. Kesha also highlighted that despite efforts to secure infrastructure, thefts continue, but surveillance measures like CCTV have led to the apprehension of some offenders.
