…calls for synergy with residents to protect public utilities
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. Olusade Adesola has condemned the incessant vandalization and theft of expensive gully inlets, manhole covers and other flood containment infrastructure on Abuja city roads.
Olusola who spoke after a flood assessment tour of parts of the city over the weekend, lamented that expensive gully inlet and manhole covers that were recently replaced by the FCTA have been vandalized and stolen, leading to suboptimal performance of the drainage systems and consequent flooding on some city roads.
The Permanent Secretary wondered why gully inlets and manhole covers made of ductile materials that were of little or no second-hand value could also be targeted by the vandals, making the situation very worrisome in the FCT.
He said the incessant vandalism and theft of expensive public infrastructure
called for the collaborative support of FCT residents by reporting suspicious moves to the relevant security agencies for prompt action.
He said, “Earlier in the week, we undertook a visit to the flood sites of Lokogoma and Trademore, amongst others. The destruction caused by the flood in those areas were really touching. ”
“But we knew that equally within the city, there are pockets of flash floods and flooding of some areas due to suboptimal performance of our drainages and we also knew that efforts were made to address these challenges.”
“So, overall, our assessment has been that to rid the city of flooding is a collective responsibility. The manhole covers that were placed on this particular road, last year, have been removed. They were not removed by ghosts. They were removed by people and this is Federal Capital City where we have all the law enforcement agencies present.”
“We want to beckon to every citizen and our law enforcement agencies to support the efforts of the FCTA in protecting lives and properties through the provision of road infrastructure. A lot of resources are committed to replacing these manholes, but not long after they are replaced, they are removed. ”
“On this particular road that we are, ductile materials that were thought to be of little or no second-hand value were installed. But shockingly today, all of them have been removed and nobody has been arrested for removing any.”
Adesola also appealed to residents to synergy with security agents in protecting infrastructure in the Territory.
He said, “So, we want to appeal to every citizen; when you see something, report something. We have the number 112 where we can make emergency reports. When something unusual is happening, report it so that our law enforcement agencies can be invited to deal with the situation. This way, we will all be contributing to making the FCT flood-free.”
Speaking on the cost implication of installing gully inlet covers and replacing stolen infrastructure in the FCT, the Permanent Secretary said that a cursory review costs of a distance of one kilometer of more than 20, 30 floodwater covers, gully inlet covers and two or three manhole covers each and each gully inlet costs not less than N500,000.
” This underscores the need for everyone to support the efforts of government to protect this road infrastructure.”
Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary cautioned residents who dump refuse into flood drains to desist from doing so, adding that these gully inlets are not dumpsites.
“They are to allow free flow of water through the channels or ducts provided underground. When these ducts are working and there is free flow of water, immediately after a rain, the place in would dry up in five minutes because it has taken the whole water .
According to him, when people block water channels are blocked, the water accumulates, the consequences are grievous as we say.
For instance, they soak the roads, damage the roads and create problems for us. These gully inlets are not dumpsites for our wastes.
He cautioned citizens not to dump waste indiscriminately but to use their waste bins.
