By Halimah Olamide
In a bid to eliminate vandalism, the Federal Ministry of Works has revealed its plans to heighten security on the Third Mainland Bridge.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, disclosed this on Sunday.
Recall that NPO made reports that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the police command in Lagos State had on Friday arrested a suspected vandal removing LED road stud lights on the newly-renovated Third Mainland Bridge.
The suspect had already removed 10 of the lights before he was caught by policemen on patrol.
Kesha said the ministry would not tolerate any vandalism on public infrastructure.
She said police trucks had been stationed on the bridge to allow officers to quickly respond to incidents and check vandalism.
“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 some 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.”
Expressing her displeasure, Kesha also highlighted the vandalism along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“The newly-installed streetlights on Kara Bridge on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway suffered vandalism as soon as the cables were completed.
“As a result, the streetlights are now standing there but cannot be used because the cables are missing.
“We are waiting for the contractors to redo 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.’
According to her, the Federal Government had replaced almost all manhole covers stolen by miscreants on federal roads in Lagos State.
She said to prevent further theft, the ministry used Polyvinyl Chloride on the Third Mainland Bridge, replacing iron gratings on manholes with it.
Expressing concern at the rate of vandalism of public infrastructure, she has therefore urged vandals to repent.
Further warning that anyone caught vandalising public property would be dealt with by the police.