Lagos lawmakers urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to address illegal scavenging and manhole theft to protect infrastructure and public safety
The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and relevant agencies to tackle the growing issues of illegal scavenging and manhole theft that threaten public safety and infrastructure across the state.
During a plenary session on Tuesday, Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) introduced a motion highlighting the urgent need to address these challenges.
Yishawu praised the government’s efforts in providing critical infrastructure, including roads with underground ducts, manhole covers, pedestrian bridges with safety rails, and drainage systems.
“These projects aim to improve residents’ quality of life by enhancing road safety, reducing traffic congestion, and mitigating flooding,” Yishawu stated.
However, he expressed concern over the increasing theft and vandalism of public infrastructure, warning that these activities could lead to accidents, blocked drainage systems, and setbacks in infrastructure development.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, called for public vigilance and encouraged Lagosians to act as whistleblowers to protect public assets.
She also urged the government to raise awareness about waste separation and reporting suspicious activities.
Desmond Elliot, another lawmaker, decried the prevalence of manhole theft in Surulere, attributing it to unchecked scavenging.
Elliot called for a complete ban on scavenging activities across the state. Similarly, Kehinde Joseph highlighted a tragic incident in Alimosho, where a House of Representatives member’s son lost his life due to an open manhole.
In response, the Assembly issued directives to the Lagos State government, including:
- Enforcing the Environmental Management Protection Law, 2017, with strict sanctions against scavengers.
- Replacing stolen manhole covers with glass-reinforced plastic materials to deter theft.
- Regulating scrap metal collection and penalising unlicensed dealers.
- Launching public awareness campaigns on manhole theft dangers and promoting whistleblower systems.
Bonu Solomon suggested activating youth-focused initiatives to engage idle youths, while Aro Moshood urged residents to take personal responsibility for safeguarding public infrastructure.
The lawmakers emphasised the importance of swift enforcement of these measures to prevent further damage to public assets and ensure the safety of residents.
