NOA warns against political vandalism

As the 2019 General Elections approach, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has cautioned politicians and their supporters against vandalizing public infrastructure in their bid to vent their grievances in the event of loss of elections.
The NOA Director General, Dr. Garba Abari gave the warning at a Community Based Sensitization Campaign on Conservation and Protection of Public Assets and Infrastructure organized by the Agency at the Gwagwalada Area Council Secretariat in the FCT.
Represented by the Director, Public Enlightenment and Mass Mobilization, Mrs. Ruth Ogun, the NOA Chief Executive noted that the wastage of public funds on repair and replacement of vandalized public infrastructure over the years is monumental and urged communities to remain vigilant and promptly report vandals to securities agencies. He said it amounts to self-affliction for community members to look the other way when public assets in their locality are being vandalized because the community, not government, is the ultimate loser.
In his remarks, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammadu Magaji, represented by the Gwagwalada District Head, Mohammed Lakwayi observed that without the collusion of some government officials who are involved in the original installation and maintenance of these infrastructure, many cases of vandalism will not be possible. He therefore called on government to develop more effective systems of monitoring and securing public assets with a view to apprehending its officials who aid and abet vandalism and bring them to book.
The Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Mustapha Danze, represented by Dr. Numa Sheshi commended NOA for the sensitization, stressing that his administration is very keen on the protection of public infrastructure, having committed huge resources to providing them. He charged communities in the Area Council to own and conserve public assets, noting that once public infrastructure are installed, they cease to be government property and become public property to be protected by the community.
Resource Person at the event, Mr. Ado Solomon urged the youths to shun substance abuse which, he said, predisposes them to vandalism and other vices. He also asked the electorate to evaluate politicians seeking re-election on the basis of their inputs in the maintenance of public infrastructure during their first tenure.
In an interactive session, participants from various walks of life called on government officials involved in awarding contracts, as well as the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), to ensure strict implementation of standards in the construction of public infrastructure. This, they said, would guarantee the durability of public infrastructure, adding that early degradation of public assets encourages vandalism.