The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday called for urgent measures to curb the rising vandalism of public infrastructure across the state.

The resolution followed a viral video showing persons removing iron rods, steel reinforcements and cables from the Festac Town-Alakija Link Bridge.

The lawmakers’ intervention came after 30 vandals were sentenced to two months’ imprisonment each for vandalising bridges across Lagos. The convicts pleaded guilty before a mobile magistrate’s court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, to charges involving the removal of bridge-supporting iron rods. The infrastructure included the Alakija-Festac Link Bridge, Trade Fair, Orile and Abule Ado bridges.

The sentencing came amid renewed concern over the safety implications of scavengers extracting structural materials from public infrastructure.

The lawmakers expressed concern that such activities threatened public safety and undermined government investments in critical infrastructure. They stressed the need for swift and decisive action to prevent further damage and protect motorists and residents using the facilities daily.

Ruling on the matter, the assembly’s speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, cautioned against implementing restrictions that could unfairly affect legitimate operators, including barrow pushers. He said enforcement measures must distinguish legitimate economic activities from criminal operations targeting public infrastructure.

Mr Obasa also noted that prosecution and incarceration could be hindered by congestion in correctional facilities, requiring broader enforcement and punishment strategies. He called for improved standards and increased capacity within the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps to strengthen infrastructure protection.

He said the corps should play a more effective role in identifying, preventing and reporting vandalism across the state.

“I advocated sustained legislative oversight and stronger implementation of existing laws aimed at protecting public infrastructure and deterring criminal activities,” he said.

The majority leader, Moshood Aro, who moved the motion, urged security agencies to intensify surveillance around bridges, highways and other strategic public assets. He specifically called on the police, Rapid Response Squad and Kick Against Indiscipline to strengthen monitoring operations.

Mr Aro advocated intelligence-led operations to identify and prosecute vandals and individuals involved in purchasing and selling stolen structural materials.

(NAN)