FCT Officials Nab Popular Foreign Contractor ‘Vandalising’ Abuja Streetlights

A prominent expatriate contractor is currently with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) to explain his suspected role in vandalising streetlights within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The AMMC Coordinator, Mr Felix Obuah, who spoke about the development on Tuesday after inspecting some ongoing streetlights repairs and maintenance within the nation’s capital, did not specifically identify the foreign national involved in the case.

However, Obuah hinted that the expatriate contractor presently operates a well-known company in the FCT and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

According to AMMC Coordinator, the contractor is allegedly involved in vandalising the streetlights as part of a cartel that promotes the criminal arrangement to enable him to get new contracts to fix the lights.

Frowning at the regular vandalisation of the streetlights, Obuah said the existing impression was that those nvolved in these criminal activities were mere scavengers and miscreants until the recent discovery that high-level contractors and their collaborators were actively involved.

“We are not impressed with the level of vandalisation that had happened in some of those lots. But I am impressed with my team for living up to expectations, especially with the ongoing maintenance work on Yar’adua Way and Jabi areas, the light has been restored but some are yet to be restored. We will make sure that within a short possible time, the issues is restored.

“Most a times we thought is scavengers or miscreants that are involved in vandalising the streetlights, not until today that we are able to discover that high level contractors are involved in sabotaging the good efforts of the minister and AMMC.

“We have arrested a very prominent contractor, an expatriate who is involved in vandalising these streetlights to enable them get this contract.

“One of the expatriates has been arrested and is in detention, there are full evidence to that effect. Our report will be submitted to the minister. We must make sure that those vandals and the people buying the items would not go scot free.

“We can’t be buying and installing equipment while miscreants and some expatriates are vandalising them and sabotaging the good efforts of government. This is wrong.”

Obuah explained that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had given the AMMC’s marching orders to ensure that Abuja is properly lit up as part of measures to ensure the security and safety of FCT residents.

He said the Abuja streetlights are presently divided into 21 lots, with 18 of these lots so far inspected and also undergoing intervention work.

“The Minister of FCT has given us matching orders to make sure that Abuja is properly lighted, and as a matter of fact, I embarked on the spot assessment with my team to make sure things work well.

“Abuja is divided into 21 lots. As of today, we have inspected almost 18 lots. We have discovered that most of those areas have been vandalised, which some are currently undergoing intervention work by my team.”