…as Minister of Transport, FCT call for enforcement of law
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Monday said the destruction of public infrastructure and facilities by some unpatriotic Nigerians is another form of terrorism.
This is as the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi and his FCT counterpart called for the arrest and prosecution of vandals of national infrastructures.
The ministers spoke at the 19th edition of the town hall meeting on the ‘protection of public infrastructure’ in Abuja.
Mohammed said the rate of public infrastructure vandalism is very alarming which calls for great concern and immediate action, hence its decision to organize the town hall meeting.
“Today’s town hall meeting is both urgent and important, because it touches on an issue that is at the very core of economic growth and national development, which is public infrastructure.
“When public infrastructure is being targeted for destruction by some unpatriotic Nigerians, it calls for great concern and immediate action, hence our decision to organize this town hall meeting,” he said.
He said that despite government efforts in providing new infrastructure, in addition to reconstructing and rehabilitating existing ones, it’s laudable efforts 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.
“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.
“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.”
Mohammed further stated that the town hall meeting will be the first of a 3-part series that will address vandalism of public infrastructure across the country.
The Ministry of Information and Culture launched the town hall meeting series in Lagos on April 25th 2016 to provide a platform for the Federal Government to regularly give account of its stewardship to the people and get their feedback, thus enhancing citizens’ participation in governance.
On their parts, Amaechi and Bello said the security operatives treat vandalism of national infrastructure as lesser crime, a situation they said has continued to emboden the vandals.
The Minister of transportation therefore called for the enforcement of law to protect public infrastructure.
He said the cost of vandalism, especially on rail lines is dire, as it could lead to loss of lives and properties.
“I am not concerned about the quality and cost of materials if vandalised, I am concerned about the lives that are at stake”.
Amaechi said the geopolitical zone with the highest offence is North Central with 50 offences, followed by North East with 14.
He further stated that if the offenders are arrested and prosecuted, others will learn.
Corroborating Amaechi, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT minister, Mohammed Bello said the laws are there for offenders but need to be enforced.
The minister said ‘criminality grows in a modular form” and as such needs to be dealt with on time.
Bello said over 400 manhole covers have been destroyed creating room for erosion and flood.
