*FCT Needs N2.6bn To Repair Vandalized Manholes ―
Minister
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
![image](/2021/05/lawp.jpg")
The Federal Government has said that any form of vandalism on
critical infrastructure or destruction of public infrastructure is
unpatriotic and an act of terrorism.
![image](/2021/05/NBASBL2021.jpg")
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
said this during a town hall meeting on the protection of Public
Infrastructure, held in Abuja.
The Minister said despite the paucity of funds, the Federal
government had embarked on massive development of public
infrastructure, yet some unpatriotic elements vandalize them.
“But since coming into office in 2015, the Muhammadu Buhari
Administration has embarked on rapid economic growth with equity,
i.e. people-centred economic management as well as prioritizing
human capital development through enhanced social services and
infrastructure development.
“This explains why the Federal Government deliberately adopted
an inclusive development framework that spreads infrastructure to
all sections of the country. Despite a drastic drop in revenues and
competing priorities, especially that of tackling insecurity, the
Administration has invested heavily in providing new
infrastructure, in addition to reconstructing and rehabilitating
existing ones.
“However, in recent times, such laudable efforts of the
government are being thwarted by some unpatriotic citizens through
wanton destruction of critical infrastructure, thereby depriving
the greater citizenry – for whose benefits these projects and
services are provided – from enjoying them.
“Railway tracks are being subjected to wanton destruction,
bridge railings are being removed, manhole covers are being
pilfered, street lights and other power infrastructure, oil
pipelines, telecoms facilities and critical aviation infrastructure
are being damaged or stolen.
“Apart from endangering the lives of fellow innocent citizens,
such unpatriotic acts take a toll on the government’s limited
revenue, as it seeks to replace, rehabilitate or totally
reconstruct such destroyed infrastructure”, the Minister said.
Mohammed, therefore, said “on another level is the incessant
attacks on critical public facilities such as police stations and
INEC offices. As a matter of fact, the destruction of public
infrastructure and facilities is not just vandalism, it is a form
of terrorism.
“Removal of rail tracks can cause train derailment, with deadly
consequences. Tampering with aviation infrastructure endangers the
lives of air passengers. Attacks on police stations have left many
police personnel dead. These are all acts of terror.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed
Bello said the effects of vandalism is profound.
“The one that is most significant in Abuja has to do with the
vandalization of covers for manhole, and these manholes are
supposed to cover drainages telecommunications facilities.
“Just by way of statistics, a few weeks ago, we did some checks
and we realised we needed to replace immediately 400 manhole
covers, 582 storm-water covers 23,210 gully pot covers, 467 water
board inspecting chambers covers, 47 water hydrant covers, 756
telecommunications covers.
“And these are critical public assets that you and I own, but
are being vandalized, this is just one aspect. Any of the streets
where you notice blackout sometimes you may think it is public
outrage, but it is not. Blackouts occur because somebody decided
out the tubes,” he said.
He said there is something uniquely Nigerian that is not seen in
other countries. “Why will somebody like officials saddled with the
responsibility of providing security and providing needed
supervision and inspection of the public asset also connive to
steal,” he asserted.
On the way forward, the Minister said “the laws are there, but
we have to all agree as a people that we need enforcement, and we
need to strengthen the laws, also we need to understand that this
is not a small crime because criminality grows gradually.
“What we are trying to do with these manhole covers is try to
see how we can get N2.6 billion to have them repaired. But this
N2.6 billion is going to affect our other projects which are going
to affect you and me in health, education, transportation and
security.”
*FCT Needs N2.6bn To Repair Vandalized Manholes ―
Minister
The Federal Government has said that any form of vandalism on
critical infrastructure or destruction of public infrastructure is
unpatriotic and an act of terrorism.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
said this during a town hall meeting on the protection of Public
Infrastructure, held in Abuja.
The Minister said despite the paucity of funds, the Federal
government had embarked on massive development of public
infrastructure, yet some unpatriotic elements vandalize them.
“But since coming into office in 2015, the Muhammadu Buhari
Administration has embarked on rapid economic growth with equity,
i.e. people-centred economic management as well as prioritizing
human capital development through enhanced social services and
infrastructure development.
“This explains why the Federal Government deliberately adopted
an inclusive development framework that spreads infrastructure to
all sections of the country. Despite a drastic drop in revenues and
competing priorities, especially that of tackling insecurity, the
Administration has invested heavily in providing new
infrastructure, in addition to reconstructing and rehabilitating
existing ones.
“However, in recent times, such laudable efforts of the
government are being thwarted by some unpatriotic citizens through
wanton destruction of critical infrastructure, thereby depriving
the greater citizenry – for whose benefits these projects and
services are provided – from enjoying them.
“Railway tracks are being subjected to wanton destruction,
bridge railings are being removed, manhole covers are being
pilfered, street lights and other power infrastructure, oil
pipelines, telecoms facilities and critical aviation infrastructure
are being damaged or stolen.
“Apart from endangering the lives of fellow innocent citizens,
such unpatriotic acts take a toll on the government’s limited
revenue, as it seeks to replace, rehabilitate or totally
reconstruct such destroyed infrastructure”, the Minister said.
Mohammed, therefore, said “on another level is the incessant
attacks on critical public facilities such as police stations and
INEC offices. As a matter of fact, the destruction of public
infrastructure and facilities is not just vandalism, it is a form
of terrorism.
“Removal of rail tracks can cause train derailment, with deadly
consequences. Tampering with aviation infrastructure endangers the
lives of air passengers. Attacks on police stations have left many
police personnel dead. These are all acts of terror.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed
Bello said the effects of vandalism is profound.
“The one that is most significant in Abuja has to do with the
vandalization of covers for manhole, and these manholes are
supposed to cover drainages telecommunications facilities.
“Just by way of statistics, a few weeks ago, we did some checks
and we realised we needed to replace immediately 400 manhole
covers, 582 storm-water covers 23,210 gully pot covers, 467 water
board inspecting chambers covers, 47 water hydrant covers, 756
telecommunications covers.
“And these are critical public assets that you and I own, but
are being vandalized, this is just one aspect. Any of the streets
where you notice blackout sometimes you may think it is public
outrage, but it is not. Blackouts occur because somebody decided
out the tubes,” he said.
He said there is something uniquely Nigerian that is not seen in
other countries. “Why will somebody like officials saddled with the
responsibility of providing security and providing needed
supervision and inspection of the public asset also connive to
steal,” he asserted.
On the way forward, the Minister said “the laws are there, but
we have to all agree as a people that we need enforcement, and we
need to strengthen the laws, also we need to understand that this
is not a small crime because criminality grows gradually.
“What we are trying to do with these manhole covers is try to
see how we can get N2.6 billion to have them repaired. But this
N2.6 billion is going to affect our other projects which are going
to affect you and me in health, education, transportation and
security.”