Vandalism: FCTA, NAN To Partner On Sensitisation

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed its commitment to partnering with newsmen in sensitising Abuja residents on their expected roles in the protection of critical national infrastructure.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said this when the management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) led by its Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle, paid a courtesy call on the minister in Abuja.
Bello said, being a manager of public information, could use its vast reach to publicise the administration’s initiatives, especially the fight against acts of vandalism on infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlight fittings and rail tracks.
The minister, who emphasised the importance of the manholes in housing critical telecommunication infrastructure, said FCTA was ready to partner with the media on the sensitisation drive.
“ The critical thing is this issue of sensitisation. I think you have a platform really that will be very effective in this sensitisation and we have a lot of materials which we can make available to you.
“ I wish to inform you that hope is not lost with respect to the issue of manhole covers because we are using a lot of composite materials as an alternative.
“ We are trying to also strengthen enforcement.
“ Generally in the past, most people tended to assume it to be just a minor nuisance and crime not knowing that it is a very dangerous one because these manhole covers, especially for the telecommunications docks, are housing a very critical national infrastructure,” Bello said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the administration was worried about the negative attitude of some residents toward protection of public infrastructure.