LASG VOWS TO PROSECUTE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALS
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The Lagos State Government vowed on Tuesday to bring charges against those who have a habit of damaging public facilities.
The announcement was made during a State Executive Council member’s inspection of No. 6 Reeve Road in Ikoyi, where it was claimed that a property owner (names withheld) had vandalized a drainage system that the State Government had recently built.
The team, which included Mr. Bode Agoro, Head of Service; Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources; Mr. Femi Daramola, Special Adviser on Infrastructure; and Mr. Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser on Environment, examined the area of the drainage that had been vandalized.
Following the inspection, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that locals need to be made aware that it is against the law to cut road infrastructure without the state government’s approval.
To act as a deterrent to other property owners in the state who might consider causing damage to road infrastructure in the guise of constructing entry and departure points, he warned that the property owner would face legal action.
“I would like to appeal to residents to desist from all forms of illegal acts because the Government cannot afford the huge cost of reconstruction of public infrastructure over and over again resulting from unwholesome project development activities. The cost of doing the right thing is cheaper than the cost of correcting the consequences of refusal to do them”, he said.
The aforementioned road and drainage system was constructed and put into service just a year ago, according to Special Adviser on Infrastructure Engr. Femi Daramola, who further stated that the tenement in question had misused the road and drainage channel without following the proper procedures, damaging the surrounding area and altering stormwater flow.
He clarified that the resident had caused damage to the infrastructure while claiming to be building an additional gate or entrance, while adding that the team needed to visit the site to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any permissions had been obtained prior to the unlawful work starting.
He added that it was a gross abuse of infrastructure because huge public funds were spent on the drainage construction, adding that the Ministry of Justice would take the necessary steps to serve notices to the tenement.
Furthermore, he advised residents to ensure they go through the right process by writing and requesting approvals from relevant agencies before tampering with public infrastructure, stressing that when approval is granted, the project will be supervised to ensure the right specifications are in place and the right thing is done at all times.
He opined that the present administration remains determined and would continue to work hard to ensure Lagos is flood-free and achieves a sustainable environment, charging residents to always support the efforts of the government.
“The governor is working assiduously to put connectivity all around the state; All public infrastructure when completed should be guarded jealously. Take ownership of these infrastructures when you see road abuse, send an alert, report it because it’s a punishable offence and the law will take its course”, he said
Also on the team were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde; Permanent Secretary, Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen; General Manager of Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Somide and other top government officials.
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