The Lagos State House of Assembly has called for stronger community-level security and tougher prosecution of vandals and their collaborators as it moved to curb the destruction of public infrastructure across the state.
Speaking during deliberations at the plenary session held on Monday, the lawmakers urged the state government to adequately equip and train the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and other local security outfits to improve surveillance and help prevent the vandalism of roads, bridges and other public facilities.
The Assembly also warned that efforts to tackle the problem should not end with the arrest of suspected vandals, insisting that individuals and businesses that buy, sell or profit from stolen government property should also be investigated and prosecuted.
The demands followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu II, Moshood Aro, during plenary, after concerns were raised over the vandalism of public infrastructure, particularly in FESTAC.
Aro said the destruction of facilities provided with taxpayers’ money was imposing a double financial burden on residents, who ultimately had to fund their repair or replacement.
