How To Prevent Public Assets From Vandals By NOA Lagos Dir. Ishola
Vandalization of public assets and critical infrastructures is one criminal act that is seriously gaining ground in Nigeria. There is no part of the country that is not experiencing this unwholesome act. To this effect, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate, on Wednesday, the 9th of May 2018, held a “Change Begins with Me” campaign on preservation and protection of public Assets and Critical Infrastructures at the Conference hall of Kosofe Local Government.
Giving his keynote address, the Director, NOA Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola noted that vandalism or vandalization of public Assets is simply the” willful or malicious destruction of public utilities which effectively disrupts the normal functioning of such utility and consequently requires an emergency repair response”. Furhermore, he observed that despite the importance of public utilities, some people who are sponsored by notable personalities in the communities still vandalize the assets without minding the harmful effect on public welfare.
The act of vandalization is anti progressive and anti developmental. No country can develop if its infrastructure and resource base are destroyed. The “Change Begins with Me” campaign demands that we change our attitudes and perception about public assets; they should be seen as our property not that of the government hence, the need for us to be concerned about their preservation and protection. He suggested six action plans which he urged stakeholders to imbibe. This are:
1. Claim ownership of such utilities and treasure them.
2. Culprits should be apprehended and be handed over to the security agencies.
3. They should get the phone numbers of the security agencies within their communities so as to quickly report cases of vandalization.
4. They are to discourage black markets for such vandalized utilities in our community.
5. They are to organize public enlightenment periodically on the need to preserve public assets.
6. Mobilise /sensitise the youths to be involved in the protection/preservation of public assets.
The Director gave examples of public assets/critical infrastructures often exposed to vandalism as follows: Transformers, Gas and Oil pipelines, Electricity cables, Street Lights, Public Buildings, Roads, Mesh wires on our road median, Rail tracks etc.
On his part, the representative of the Nigerian Police, Area ‘H’ Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Dasumi Saidu remarked that government alone cannot protect or preserve public assets. The more reason people should collaborate with the security agencies for information without fear of betrayer. He stressed that vandalized assets affects people’s lives and means of livelihood and in some cases takes long for repairs to be effected because of huge sum of money required. He commended NOA for the programme and asked stakeholders to share the learning with their people.
In his goodwill message, the State Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos Command, Mr. Tajudeen Balogun noted that among the three core mandate of the Corps, 24-hours survivellence of Critical National Assets is carried out with the highest priority. He tasked stakeholders to have confidence in the command and avail them with prompt and useful information as regards nefarious activities within the community because the Command is established to service the people. He called on the Head of Department, Critical National Assets, (NSCDC), Deputy Corp Commandant, (DCC) Mr. Padoduru Augustine to give a graphic picture on the activities of Lagos Command to fight against vandalism.
Other speakers who lent their support to the preservation and protection of public assets and critical infrastructure campaign by National Orientation Agency were: Vice Chairman, Lagos State Community Advisory Council, Chief R. O. Ajayi and the Representative of the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Hon. Olanrewaju Oladunjoye, and the Youth Leader amongst others.
The forum was well attended by critical stakeholders across the local government areas in the State, namely: Community Development Committees (CDC); Community Development Associations (CDA); Nigerian Police; Neigbhourhood Corps; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Members of Youth Council of Nigeria; Council Executives and Principal officers; Religious leaders; Traditional leaders; Market men and women; Community leaders amongst others
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