* In renewed onslaught against vandals
The Lagos State Government has vowed go tough on scrap metal aka “iron condemn” scavengers, alleging that some of them vandalize and steal assets across the State, and resell.
“They steal some of the lighting on the bridges, the iron guards, the rail guards, and all that. We intend to look into all this,” Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said while speaking with journalists in Ikeja after the quarterly meeting with the leadership of paramilitary agencies.
Salu-Hundeyin said that from grassroots information, it has become necessary to take a drastic action against the rouge scrap scavengers.
“Today, we talk about those stealing our manholes which, apart from the fact that it can cause accidents, is hazardous to people driving or walking around. Anybody can fall inside, a car can fall inside; it can cause accident.
“We are doing a lot about them. That is why we held these meetings. These scrap dealers, we have been told today that a lot of them are being used for untoward activities, that they just pretend, they are the ones that go on the bridges and vandalise the lighting facilities.
“They steal these things; they now sell to some people. So, now that we know, though we knew before and we are doing something, now it is being reinforced. I can assure you, give us some time,” she said.
The SSG said that the issue of the use of pedestrian bridges was also discussed, as some people not using the bridges.
“We discover that it is not really all the time that people are reluctant, but some other factors that caused it, like the fact that some of the pedestrians, particularly those that are covered by billboards are not safe.
“People are afraid to use it because of some people who attack them. This, the state is going to be also discussed and look into,” she said.
Salu-Hundeyin said that the issue of drug abuse among the youth was discussed and reports indicated that there is reduction of the menace in the State.
She said that the issue of illegal immigrants coming into Nigeria, mostly through the porous ports that boarder Lagos State, was discussed and a lot of them have no tangible means of livelihood.
The SSG said even some coming in from states in Nigeria into Lagos State do not have anything doing and a lot of them get into various vices.
“We are looking into that. We have all these as security issues, and all these issues we are looking into, so that we know what measures to take to combat this.
“A lot of measures are already in place, and many more will be taken to ensure that all these issues are dealt with appropriately.
“Governance is not just about the elites, it is not just about the middle class, it is about everybody that is resident in the state. That is why, under the THEMES+ agenda, the plus represents inclusivity, everybody is included. It is about everyone in Lagos State.
“After this meeting, Lagos residents should expect a safer Lagos, a cleaner Lagos; a much more secure Lagos; and the Lagos where everybody can have better livability, this is the essence of the THEMES+ agenda of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“I can assure you, henceforth, you will see positive actions on the part of government. We have been doing a lot in these areas, but we are also appealing to Lagosians to help in these areas, because the issue of security is very important, and government cannot do it alone,” she said.
Salu-Hundeyin appealed to the youth to desist from most of the vices they engaged in.
“For example, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch is engaging 1,500 youths again, so we are creating job opportunities. The youth should also come in and take advantage, rather than going for these vices. This is our advice,” she said.
-NAN