By Abba -Eku Onyeka, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed deep concern over the increasing vandalism of manhole covers across the Federal Capital City (FCC). This alarming trend has prompted the FCTA to inspect ongoing repairs on recently vandalized manhole covers along the B6 and B12 circle roads in the Central Business District, according to a press statement from the Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye.
According to Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, Executive Secretary of the FCDA, these acts of vandalism damage public infrastructure and deprive citizens of essential services and resources. The stolen covers, specifically designed to withstand heavy vehicular traffic, are crucial for the proper functioning of the city’s drainage system.
The FCTA has emphasized the security implications of the theft of public infrastructure, stating that they are working with security agencies to strengthen measures to check acts of vandalism. In fact, security agencies have arrested suspected vandals of sewage manhole covers on highways in Abuja, and efforts are being made to apprehend their collaborators, especially buyers of the manhole covers.²
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate replacement of stolen manhole covers in affected areas to restore safety and ensure normalcy for residents. The administration is also exploring the use of alternative materials less attractive to scrap metal dealers and implementing surveillance measures to deter future thefts.
Residents have been urged to report suspicious activities in their communities, as the FCTA strengthens collaborations with law enforcement agencies to address the growing menace. By targeting both vandals and the buyers who enable their activities, the administration aims to disrupt the market for stolen infrastructure and safeguard the city’s public assets.
Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, Executive Secretary of the FCDA, emphasized the security implications of the theft of public infrastructure, stating that the FCT Administration is working with security agencies to strengthen measures to check acts of vandalism in the nation’s capital city. He described the situation as “unfortunate” and acknowledged that despite efforts to replace the stolen covers, they are repeatedly stolen.¹
The FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has directed the swift replacement of all stolen covers to ensure public safety and prevent damage to vehicles. However, Engr. Dauda explained that replacing these crucial infrastructure elements is a challenging task due to their specialized design and load-bearing capacity.²
To address this issue, the FCTA is exploring alternative materials for the covers, such as composite materials, which are less attractive to thieves due to their low recycling value. Despite these efforts, vandals continue to target these covers, prompting Engr. Dauda to urge the media to join in the campaign against this destructive behavior and educate the public on the importance of protecting public property.
In a related development, the FCDA has retrieved about 700 stolen manholes and gully covers from the court through the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The authority has also intensified efforts to tackle infrastructure vandalism, including raiding an iron smelting company allegedly linked to stolen public assets.³
The FCTA has urged residents to report suspicious activities in their communities, as they strengthen collaborations with law enforcement agencies to address the growing menace. By targeting both vandals and the buyers who enable their activities, the administration aims to disrupt the market for stolen infrastructure and safeguard the city’s public assets.
