Home Crime Lagos State loses N1.7bn annually to vandalism, theft of streetlight infrastructure

Lagos State loses N1.7bn annually to vandalism, theft of streetlight infrastructure

Lagos State streetlight theft vandalism
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Lagos State loses N1.7bn yearly to theft and vandalism of streetlight infrastructure. Stakeholders call for community involvement in safeguarding assets

 

Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has revealed that the state loses an estimated N1.7 billion annually due to the theft and vandalisation of streetlight infrastructure and other electrical installations.

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This staggering amount, if not lost to criminal activities, could be redirected to improve other critical areas such as healthcare and education, according to LSEB representatives.

Omotayo Halid, the Public Lighting Representative of LSEB, disclosed this alarming statistic during a Stakeholders Town Hall Engagement for the Protection of Streetlight Infrastructure.

The event, held at Y Arena in Ikoyi, Lagos, was attended by key community leaders, development associations, and other stakeholders who gathered to discuss solutions to curb this growing problem.

Halid explained that the primary targets of these vandals include electrical installations, transformers, underground cables, and generators. These thefts not only result in financial losses but also pose significant safety risks.

The removal of streetlight infrastructure can plunge entire roads into darkness, increasing the likelihood of accidents and creating hazardous conditions, particularly at night.

He noted, “Let me begin by sharing a certain statistic with you. The Lagos State Electricity Board alone loses N1.7bn every year to theft and vandalisation of electrical installations across the state.

You can imagine if this was used to address other infrastructures across the state like education, and healthcare.”

The consequences of such theft extend beyond immediate financial loss.

Halid warned that these actions increase the strain on the health sector, as healthcare workers face greater challenges due to the lack of proper lighting in certain areas, which could delay critical medical operations or impede emergency response.

Lagos State’s Chairman of the Electricity Board, K.A.T. Balogun, emphasised that protecting the state’s electrical infrastructure is a shared responsibility between the government and the local communities.

“The streetlight infrastructures constructed by the state government is a joint responsibility between Lagos State and all the communities.

It is important that we think that way, so that if we see any person around these infrastructures and acting suspiciously, you can always call on us,” he stated.

The engagement brought together various stakeholders, including police officers, local vigilantes, representatives from Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs), transport unions, and others.

The aim was to brainstorm effective methods for safeguarding these valuable assets.

During the meeting, CSP Ishola Olugboye, the Divisional Police Officer for Lion Building, Ikoyi, raised concerns about residents who were reportedly collaborating with vandals in executing these criminal activities.

He assured the public of more effective policing to combat this ongoing issue and to put an end to the vandalism of critical infrastructure.

The call for greater community involvement in protecting streetlights is more crucial than ever, as Lagos State continues to face significant losses due to vandalism and theft.

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