By Kennedy Aniedozie
Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, has on Oct 28 declared a zero-tolerance stance against vandalism of government property, warning that anyone caught destroying public infrastructure will face prosecution.
Aguiyi gave the warning following the arrest of a suspected vandal accused of cutting government-installed iron barricades at Relief Market, Okpoko, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The arrest followed intelligence received by the Ministry of Environment’s Scrap Monitoring Team and Anti-Vandalism Team, which reportedly uncovered a suspected syndicate involved in cutting the barricades into smaller pieces for removal and sale as scrap metal.
While other suspects reportedly fled the scene, one person was apprehended. The team immediately alerted the Okpoko Police Division, whose operatives arrested the suspect and recovered the vandalised iron barricades already loaded onto a truck.
Reacting to the incident during a visit to the Okpoko Divisional Police Headquarters, where the suspect and recovered materials were presented, Aguiyi condemned the destruction of public infrastructure provided at considerable cost for the benefit of Ndi Anambra.
He described vandalism as an attack on the collective patrimony of the state, warning that the destruction of iron barricades, streetlights, bridge manholes and other public facilities endangers lives and deprives communities of essential infrastructure.
The commissioner recalled that he declared zero tolerance for vandalism upon assuming office and subsequently reorganised the Ministry’s task force to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and enforcement against those involved in the destruction of government property.
Aguiyi commended the Ministry’s Scrap Monitoring Team and the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Austin Okafor, for their swift response, assuring that the Ministry would support efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute everyone connected to the crime.
He urged market leaders, community stakeholders and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, stressing that protecting public infrastructure is a collective responsibility.
The commissioner encouraged residents to embrace the security slogan, “If you see something, say something,” noting that timely information from the public would help prevent vandalism and safeguard government facilities across the state.
Kennedy Aniedozie is of Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#Ministryofinformationandvaluareformation
#Informationiskey
#Solutionishere
