Federal Ministry of Works has revealed that it is working with the police to tighten security in other to stop vandalism on the Third Mainland Bridge.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha said this during an interview session with the press on Sunday in Lagos.
Recall that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of Lagos police command had on Friday arrested a vandal while removing ten LED road stud lights on the newly-renovated Third Mainland Bridge.
The controller said that the ministry would not tolerate any act of vandalism on public infrastructure, adding that police trucks have been stationed on the bridge to allow officers to quickly respond to incidents and check vandalism.
She said, “We have written to the commissioner of police to ensure more surveillance on the Third Mainland Bridge, and we have stationed police trucks on the bridge.”
“Police officers now patrol the bridge more frequently; these increased security measures have led to the arrest of a number of miscreants, who were vandalising public property.”
“We saw that the cat eye lights were vandalised, and the vandals were promptly arrested and taken to police custody.”
“More miscreants were also arrested for vandalism even on Monday. This shows a strong response from the authorities.”
“ Our eyes are on Third Mainland Bridge.”
Denouncing such acts, she said: “The newly-installed street lights on Kara Bridge on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway suffered vandalism as soon as the cables were completed.”
“As a result, the street lights are now standing there but cannot be used because the cables are missing.”
“We are waiting for the contractors to re-do the wiring and energise it. Once the repairs are completed, we ask the Lagos State commissioner of police to increase patrol in the area to prevent further vandalism.’’
Keisha said that the Federal Government had replaced almost all manhole covers stolen on federal roads in Lagos State.
She added that, in other to prevent further theft, the ministry had to Polyvinyl Chloride. (PVC) which was cheaper on the Third Mainland Bridge, to replace iron gratings on manholes with it.
The comptroller added that PVC was potentially easier to identify and less attractive to thieves.
She urged vandals to repent and warned that anyone caught vandalising public property would be dealt with by the police.
Kesha further expressed the government’s determination to keep its projects on track despite setbacks.
She said, “The setbacks have not, in any way, affected project implementation; the government is doing what it is supposed to do.”
“We are increasing surveillance to protect our common investments, the bridges and lights.”
Going on, she urged Nigerians to protect public property as if they were their private property and they should report any vandalism or potential threats on public property to relevant authorities.
Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer of Dembally Ltd., a real estate development company, Ayotunde Bally noted that vandalism wastes resources.
He said “As a construction professional, I know that building infrastructure requires significant investments and efforts. Vandalism undermines these efforts.”
He urged security agencies to do more to prevent vandalism and urged the government to engage local communities and educate them on the importance of protecting public infrastructure.
Balky said, “There is need to work together to build a culture of ownership and responsibility for our national assets.”
He added that vandalism of public property shows a lack of civic responsibility, disregard for the common good, and selfishness.
Bally further advised that law enforcement should be strengthened and more stringent penalties should be imposed on vandals.
A mechanical engineer, Chikezie Obioma also said that vandalism had significant effects on project implementation.
He said that it could lead to a delay in project implementation, as damaged infrastructure would need to be repaired or replaced.
Obioma further noted that vandalism would result in additional costs for repairs, replacements, and security measures.
He said, “Vandalism raises security concerns, requiring increased security measures to protect projects, adding to costs and logistical challenges.”
“Repeated vandalism incidents can erode public trust in government projects and undermine confidence in government’s ability to deliver essential services.”
“It can disrupt essential services such as power, water and transportation, negatively impacting citizens’ daily lives and the economy.”
