‘Darkness returns to Long Bridge’. That was the screaming headline that introduced the story. The word ‘returns’ meant the place was in darkness before, that is; there was no light there and light was provided to illuminate one of the obvious dark spots on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
This was only last year.
Sadly, as at last week when the darkness on the bridge was reported, at least 168 of the solar lights installed on the about five-kilometre Long Bridge stretch connecting the OPIC end toward Wawa, had been stolen.
These were public facilities provided to illuminate the dark corridor, improve night visibility, and curb criminal attacks on motorists whose vehicles have the misfortune of developing faults on that part of the ever-busy expressway.
Of course, the next logical question is how? Long Bridge is not in any part of rural Nigeria.
The bridge is at the boundary between Ogun State and Berger Bus Stop in Lagos State, which is about 7.3 kilometres distance. It takes approximately 11 minutes travel time from Berger to the bridge.
Not only that, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is regarded as the busiest interstate highway in Nigeria. So, it is ever busy.
All of these should make one curious that some 168 solar lights could vanish from such a highway without anyone knowing.
One, such a number of lights could only have been stolen over a period.
Two, these lights are not within reach as the poles are very high. Therefore, removing the solar lights could only be possible with the use of special equipment that mainly those maintaining such facilities have access to.
It does not seem to us as something that can be done without the active connivance of some internal collaborators.
Unfortunately, we do not have a strong record of apprehending such criminals. That explains the impunity with which the criminals operate and the frequency of such crimes in the country.
Just imagine the vandalisation that has been occurring on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that is still under construction, but which some miscreants and scavengers have been caught cutting and removing parts of its metal fencing, barbed wire, and structural iron fittings?
How do we explain the actions of rail vandals who remove rails or tracks, that is the metal path that guides the train safely along its route? This can lead to fatal accidents.
There is no reason for people to be so callous to the point that they can just strip public utilities without a thought for the lives of fellow Nigerians.
Mercifully, the Federal Government has swiftly responded to these thefts on the coastal highway by deploying a specialised security team – the Coastal Highway Guards- to patrol the corridor.
.People who vandalise public facilities do not deserve any pity. Apart from the economic loss to the country, they also make life difficult for fellow Nigerians. That is where the criminality of the vandals does not lead to the death of their compatriots.
Penalties for vandalism would seem stiff enough, ranging from 21 years in prison to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty under anti-sabotage laws.
Where the problem lies is in the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. This is where the government and Nigerians generally have to wake up.
The government must ensure that the facilities are well protected. It can deploy technology in monitoring such facilities. Like the coastal road that now has a security outfit after some of the road’s facilities had been stolen. There is need for proactiveness on the part of the government even as Nigerians must be vigilant, and report something when they see something.