By Abubakar Yunusa
The Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Abuja Branch, Engr. Ben Osy, has called on security agencies at all levels and other relevant stakeholders to treat manhole thieves as armed robbers.
Engr. Ben emphasized that the outcome of last year’s one-day stakeholders’ workshop on public infrastructure abuse and vandalism in the FCT highlighted the need to decisively deal with those caught engaging in such activities.
During an interview with Peoples Daily on the sidelines of its Monthly General Meeting in Abuja, Engr. Ben expressed dissatisfaction with the current approach of taking manhole thieves to court and imposing minimal fines.
He argued that such measures are a waste of time and only encourage others to engage in similar activities.
He stated: “We had a robust discussion and cross-pollination of ideas on the best ways to stop these incidents in the FCT.” According to Engr. Ben, the presentation from last year revealed that over 16,000 manhole covers had been removed, leading to significant financial losses.
“You know how much we are losing by investing resources in replacing stolen infrastructure instead of providing new infrastructure. We advise our members to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities,” he urged.
Engr. Ben stressed that it shouldn’t solely be the duty of law enforcement agencies or city managers to address the issue.
He emphasized the seriousness of manhole theft, stating, “Why vandalize something worth more than a million? Something that can cause harm and affect the lives of the people in Abuja.”
*Regarding the branch’s activities, Engr. Ben outlined plans to enhance technical activities, including monthly presentations focused on key engineering infrastructure in the FCT.
He mentioned ongoing efforts to understand and address projects such as the Greater Abuja Water Scheme, waste treatment plants, street infrastructure, interchanges, and existing projects within the city.
Engr. Ben concluded, “We aim to broaden our members’ understanding by organizing technical visits to these projects, allowing them to interact with contractors, consultants, and city managers, asking questions and gaining insights
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