Committed to the safety of the lives and property of Abuja residents, and in compliance with the directive by the Hon. Minister of the FCT, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has completed the replacement of the Manhole Covers removed by vandals on a stretch of Road B12, also known as Independence Avenue in the Central Business District of Abuja.
It would be recalled that early last week, vandals had removed about 13 Manhole Covers along the Avenue. While inspecting the replacement exercise, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda had frowned at the incessant vandalization of critical infrastructure in the nation’s Capital City, despite the huge effort being made by the FCT Administration to replace such vandalized facilities.
He however assured that as a responsive Administration committed to the safety of lives and property of all residents, and in compliance with the directive of the Hon. Minister of the FCT, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the stolen Manholes would be replaced immediately.
“It is unfortunate that we continue to face this challenge despite our efforts to replace these covers, they are repeatedly stolen. But from the point of view of replacement, to save lives and property, particularly vehicles that ply this road, the Minister directed, when the report got to him, that we immediately replace the ones that have been stolen. In this stretch alone, this area, we have about 13 that were taken out, and because of the nature of our infrastructure design, we have them in the middle of the road. These are Sewer Lines and storm Water Lines. They are load–bearing because they take the vehicular load, so they are specially made for that purpose “, he had explained.
It is confirmable now that the replacement of the 13 vandalized Sewer and Storm Water Lines Manhole Covers along Independence Avenue has been completed.
