FCDA begins replacement of vandalised manhole covers to boost safety in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

Following the directive of the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has commenced swift replacement of some vandalised sewer and storm water lines manhole covers in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

This was against the backdrop of the increasing vandalism of manhole covers across the Federal Capital City (FCC), thereby threatening public safety especially active road users in the city.

According to the FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, who spoke shortly after inspecting ongoing repairs on some recently vandalized manhole covers along the B6 and B12 circle roads in the Central Business District of the FCC on Monday, the replacement will be completed soon.

Dauda, however noted that such acts of vandalism damage public infrastructure and deprive citizens of essential services and resources.

He explained that the stolen covers were specifically designed to withstand heavy vehicular traffic and are crucial for the proper functioning of the city’s drainage system.

Stressing the security implications of the theft of public infrastructure, he revealed that the FCT Administration is working with security agencies to strengthen measures to check acts of vandalism in the nation’s capital city.

“It is unfortunate that we continue to face this challenge. Despite our efforts to replace these covers, they are repeatedly stolen.

“This is primarily a security issue, and the FCTA administration will take decisive action to curb vandalism within the city.

“Because of the nature of our infrastructure design, we have them in the middle of the road.

” There are sewer lines and some are storm water lines. They are load-bearing because they take the vehicular load.

“So, they are specially made for that purpose. So, replacing them, it takes time. It takes quite a deal of effort”, the FCDA boss reiterated.

Furthermore, he opined that ongoing efforts by the FCTA to explore alternative materials for the covers, such as composite materials, which according to him, are less attractive to vandals and criminal elements due to their low recycling value but regretted that they were still being targeted by vandals.

According to him: “In many other areas we have used other material, you still see people coming to break them.

“For what purpose and for what benefit? I don’t know. Because when you steal infrastructure like this, it’s like stealing from yourself. It’s federal government resources, it’s the national resources that have been used to put it in place.”

He therefore urged stakeholders especially the media to join in the campaign against this destructive behavior and educate the public on the importance of protecting public property.

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