The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has retrieved about 700 stolen manholes and gully covers from court through the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The executive secretary of FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmad, stated this Thursday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on efforts of the authority to protect critical national infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
Ahmad said vandalism of manhole and gully covers has become an issue of concern to the FCT Administration, adding that administration had intensified efforts with the security agencies to tackle the situation decisively.
He stated that the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has made a declaration to the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in FCT, to protect critical infrastructures such as manholes and gully covers, cables and street lights.
“We are in a catch 22 situation. The manholes have been clearly stolen, criminals were arrested and the materials were taken and deposited with the NSCDC as exhibits because the issue is in court.
“For over three to four years, we have been battling to retrieve them from government to government and it was not until last week that we were able to have a breakthrough through the intervention of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
“AGF ordered the court to release those exhibits so that we can replace some of them. We have a larger chunk of over 600 to 700 pieces.
