Ogun State is preparing tough new laws against vandals of public infrastructure. Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the plan while meeting with business leaders at his office in Abeokuta.
He received Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, and Deolu Ijose, Managing Director of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
The discussions centered on curbing infrastructure destruction and boosting power supply.
Abiodun expressed deep frustration over rising vandalism of electricity facilities. He called it a major threat to economic growth and service delivery.
The governor painted a stark picture of the damage. Streetlights installed along the 42-kilometre Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway have been systematically stripped.
"When we constructed that road, we installed streetlights along the entire stretch," he recalled. Within eighteen months, every single one had disappeared.
Thieves worked methodically, he explained. They started by stealing cables, cutting them and tying them to vehicles to rip them out.
Next came the fittings and fixtures. Eventually, even the concrete poles themselves vanished.
"After driving for about a kilometre, there was no single light pole again," Abiodun said. He noted that drivers could go five kilometres without spotting even one remaining pole.
Such destruction amounts to economic sabotage, according to the governor. It's essentially theft of energy resources critical to development.
Abiodun insisted stiffer penalties are now essential. "We cannot continue to give light punishments to people destroying critical social infrastructure," he stated firmly.
His administration has tasked the Attorney General with drafting stronger legislation. The Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is leading the effort.
Once passed by the State House of Assembly, the new law will provide tougher prosecution frameworks. Offenders will face consequences severe enough to deter future vandalism.
Anyone caught engaging in such acts will face the full weight of the law. Abiodun warned that vandalism will no longer be tolerated.
Beyond legal measures, Ogun State remains committed to improving power supply statewide. Strategic partnerships are key to tackling persistent electricity challenges.
Ijose's visit focused on deepening collaboration between state government and IBEDC. The partnership aims to strengthen power infrastructure and expand access.
Better electricity access remains a top administrative priority. Abiodun stressed this during the meeting.
Government will continue engaging private sector stakeholders on power solutions. Initiatives capable of enhancing generation and distribution will receive strong support.
The administration stands ready to partner with IBEDC and others in the power sector. Such collaboration promises sustainable solutions to electricity challenges.
Improved power supply will help ease business operations across the state. It will also significantly enhance residents' quality of life.
