The Lagos State Government on Monday reopened the Ojota and Maryland sections of the Odo Iya-Alaro Bridge and declared a zero-tolerance policy for vandalism and theft of public infrastructure in the state.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, made this statement during the official reopening of the newly rehabilitated bridge, while lamenting the frequent theft of manhole covers in the state.
To combat this issue, Hamzat announced that the state had switched to using fibre materials to fabricate manhole covers instead of steel, emphasising that anyone caught stealing them would be prosecuted.
Hamzat said, “Everybody is saying that maintenance of infrastructure is a challenge, but in Lagos, we are saying it is not. This informed our decision to maintain this infrastructure and put it in good shape.
“The expansion joints, which are necessary accessories for bridges, are now repaired and in good shape, and all the manholes that were stolen have been replaced. But I need to say that these new manhole covers are fibres, not metals. So if you take it, it is useless. But the manhole covers protect people. It is to protect human beings so that they don’t fall off bridges; this is a safety issue.
“It is no longer steel. It is fibre. It is difficult to remove, but if you are able to remove it, it’s useless to you. It is not glass, not metal, and if we catch you, we will prosecute you.”
He added that the administration was focused on road and bridge infrastructure to reduce travel time, saving important hours that would have otherwise been lost to traffic.
The deputy governor also noted that the current administration placed a high premium on the safety of lives, pointing out that many pedestrian bridges have been identified for routine maintenance.
The Special Adviser, Office of Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, said the bridge, which had been closed to traffic for months, was completed and reopened ahead of schedule because the government was eager to alleviate the suffering of road users.
In July, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tasked the ministries of environment and works with cracking down on individuals who remove manholes and engage in illegal waste disposal in the state. The governor condemned the removal of manholes and the dumping of refuse into drainage systems, which can lead to flooding and environmental hazards.
Speaking to residents of Lagos Island, Sanwo-Olu expressed dismay at the destruction of government properties designed to prevent floods and other environmental issues.