By Emmanuel Daniji

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called for urgent measures to curb the vandalism of public infrastructure across the state, warning that the activities pose a threat to public safety and government investments.

The resolution followed a viral video showing suspected vandals removing iron rods, steel reinforcements and cables from the Festac Town-Alakija Link Bridge.

The lawmakers’ intervention also came shortly after 30 suspected vandals were sentenced to two months’ imprisonment each for vandalising bridges across Lagos.

The suspects pleaded guilty before a Mobile Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, to charges relating to the removal of iron rods supporting bridges.

The affected infrastructure included the Alakija-Festac Link Bridge, as well as bridges around Trade Fair, Orile and Abule Ado.

The arrests and convictions have renewed concerns over the activities of scavengers who target structural materials on bridges and other public facilities.

The Assembly expressed concern that continued vandalism could weaken critical infrastructure and expose motorists, pedestrians and other residents to danger.

Assembly Seeks Stronger Enforcement

Ruling on the matter, Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, called for stronger measures to protect public infrastructure while cautioning against enforcement policies that could unfairly affect people engaged in legitimate economic activities.

Obasa said authorities must be able to distinguish between legitimate operators, including barrow pushers, and individuals involved in criminal activities targeting public assets.

He also noted that the prosecution and imprisonment of suspects could face challenges because of congestion in correctional facilities.

“The challenge can be addressed through the state government’s construction of additional correctional centres,” Obasa said.

The Speaker further called for improved standards and increased capacity within the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps to enable the agency to play a stronger role in protecting public infrastructure.

He urged the corps to improve its ability to identify, prevent and promptly report acts of vandalism across the state.

Obasa also advocated sustained legislative oversight and stronger implementation of existing laws designed to protect public infrastructure and deter criminal activities.

Lawmakers Demand Increased Surveillance

The Majority Leader, Moshood Aro, who moved the motion, urged security agencies to intensify surveillance around bridges, highways and other strategic public assets.

He specifically called on the Police, Rapid Response Squad and Kick Against Indiscipline to strengthen monitoring operations around vulnerable infrastructure.

Aro also advocated intelligence-led operations to identify and prosecute not only those who vandalise public infrastructure but also individuals who buy and sell stolen structural materials.

He urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

The latest arrests and convictions have intensified calls for stronger enforcement against the vandalisation of bridges and other critical infrastructure across Lagos.

The Assembly reiterated its commitment to working with the state executive to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure effective implementation of existing laws.

The lawmakers stressed that protecting public assets would require coordinated efforts involving government agencies, security formations and residents.

They warned that unchecked vandalism could undermine infrastructure development, endanger road users and force the government to spend additional resources repairing facilities damaged by criminal activities.

Source: NAN