Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared that his administration will no longer tolerate the activities of vandals and scrap dealers responsible for damaging critical public infrastructure across the state.
The Governor made this known on Friday, August 15, during a media chat, while responding to questions raised by ABN TV boss, Ifeanyi Okali, who drew attention to the growing menace of vandalism linked to scavengers and scrap dealers, popularly called Ndi Akpakara.
Okali highlighted a disturbing case in Umuahia where scavengers reportedly went under a newly constructed bridge at New Road (Down Below) and dismantled vital metal components, leaving the structure already showing signs of bending. He also recounted other incidents, including the theft of a ladder belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) staff while on duty.
Governor Otti, in his response, condemned the acts, stressing that his government is working on legislation to decisively curb the trend.
“We have been on it and we want to come up with legislation. I will not talk much about it until we are ready. But for now, there are also laws to deal with things like vandalism,” the Governor stated.
He further warned that anyone caught stealing or vandalizing public facilities would be treated as a criminal and face the full wrath of the law.
“If somebody stole a ladder, that person is a thief. If you catch him, you do to him what you do to a thief. But the people who deliberately go and begin to dismantle iron rods and all that, those people should be treated, if they are caught, the way they should be treated,” Otti said.
The Governor assured Abians that his administration remains committed to protecting public infrastructure and will ensure vandals and scrap dealers are decisively dealt with.
