Akwa Ibom Assembly Seeks Stiffer Penalty For Vandals

Akwa State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the menace of vandals and scavengers, who are in the habits of destroying and stealing public infrastructure and assets of government, warning that unless tougher measures by the executive are in place, the ugly trends would continue.

The lawmakers, therefore, called on the state government to end the activities of scavengers, by giving more attention to the security and protection of public infrastructure.
This followed a motion for the ban of scavenging in the state, sponsored by the House leader, Hon Sunday Johnny, at the plenary.

The lawmaker in his motion, expressed worry that some critical investments put together by the government have suffered setbacks due to the activities of those he described as “criminal elements” operating as scavengers within the state.

“The vandalism of school property and infrastructure in our state is a direct attempt to jeopardize the government’s efforts in developing education in our state.

“Children learn better when there is a roof over them. Sadly, the activities of the scavengers which led to mindless destruction of school roofs have left many children suffering, as they are no longer protected by a roof.

“These scoundrels are not operating alone, but are encouraged by those who purchase these items from them”, he noted.

Johnny further pointed out that the nefarious activities of scavengers have increased in the state due to the inability of security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
He, therefore, prayed the House to urge the state government to give special attention to security and protection of public infrastructure and assets.

Contributing to the motion, Hon Moses Essien (Ibiono Ibom), said, “Curbing the activities of scavengers will help tame the tide of insecurity in the state and restrain them from thwarting efforts by the government to develop the state.”

Similarly, Hon Jerry Otu (Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara), emphasized the need for the government to “deploy various security agencies to tackle buyers of condemned products from scavengers to discourage destruction of public amenities.”

Others who spoke in favour of the motion were the deputy house leader, Hon Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubuim); Hon Bassey Bassey (Okobo); Hon Mfon Idung (Ika/Etim Ekpo); Hon Uduakobong Ekpo-ufot (Etinan); Hon Prince Ukpong Akpabio (Essien Udim); Hon Lawrence Udoide (Ini), and Hon Uwemedimo Asuquo (Uyo).

Subsequently, the House called on the state government to “pay more attention to security in the state by engaging in full scale the services of Ibom Community Watch (ICW) in all the polling units of the state to monitor closely the activities of scavengers in rural areas.”

However, the speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, directed the clerk to communicate the resolution to Governor Umo Eno, “for implementation in the interest of the government and its people.”