Rivers Assembly To Review Public Works Utility Law …Mulls Five-Year Jail Term For Theft Of Manhole Covers

The Rivers State House of Assembly may review the Public Works Utility Law No.9 of 2012 to attract stronger penalty on those involved in the stealing of manhole covers in the State.
The review of the law is part of the consideration before the House Ad hoc Committee on Removal of Manhole Covers.
The committee warned those involved in the stealing of manhole covers in the State to stay off or face prosecution.
The chairman of the committee, Hon. Oko Jumbo Victor, gave the warning during a meeting with stakeholders at the Assembly complex, last Friday.
The lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency in the Assembly, said it was not going to be business as usual for those involved in the stealing and buying of manhole covers in the State.
He stated that parts of the resolution of the meeting with stakeholders was to invite community leaders, where the manhole covers are stolen and sold to metal dealers, as a way of sensitising their youths against the act.
According to him, “the Public Works Utility Law No. 9 of 2012 will be reviewed to attract strong penalty on those involved in the stealing of manhole covers”.
The State Commissioner for Justice, Zachouis Adango and his Transport counterpart, Jacobson Nbina, in their separate contributions during the meeting, said there was the need to set up a task force to help clamp down on activities of those involved in stealing manhole covers in the State.
According to them, the task force will also assist in monitoring the activities of those selling and buying scrapped metals in the State.
Mr Adango recommended a five-year jail term for offenders as against the one-year sentence stipulated in the law.

By: Ike Wigodo