Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inspected a vandalised bridge pillar at Vin-Niger, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, assuring residents and motorists that the structural integrity of the facility had not been compromised.
Sanwo-Olu, who carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the affected section on Saturday, said the bridge leads into Festac Town, while the land and abutment are under the control of the Federal Housing Authority.
The inspection followed viral videos showing the vandalised portion of the bridge, prompting concerns among residents and road users over the safety of the facility.
The governor, however, allayed the fears, saying a preliminary assessment showed that the bridge remained structurally sound and safe for use.
He commended the Lagos State Police Command, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Security Trust Fund operatives, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch and members of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) for their prompt intervention following the incident.
According to him, while the main structure of the bridge remained intact, vandals had excavated and removed some fittings used to secure the facility.
Sanwo-Olu described the development as unacceptable and vowed that the government would pursue those responsible for the vandalism, including individuals involved in buying and selling stolen public infrastructure materials.
He said the destruction of public assets was particularly shameful at a time when the government was committing huge resources to the development and maintenance of infrastructure across Lagos.
The governor also raised concern over the persistent vandalism of public infrastructure in Festac Town, citing the destruction of drainage slabs and theft of iron rods along Second and Seventh Avenues.
He urged residents to become more vigilant and take ownership of public infrastructure by promptly reporting suspicious activities to security agencies and relevant authorities.
“When you see something, you should say something. Government is not going to be there 24/7. People should know that they also have a responsibility for themselves and for government to speak out,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu warned that the government would not relent in its efforts to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of vandalism, irrespective of their status or background.
He explained that the inspection formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to clean up the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor, restore order and protect critical public infrastructure.
The governor said considerable progress had been recorded in clearing the corridor of illegal activities and obstructions, adding that he would continue the inspection towards the Alaba Rago axis.
He assured residents that his administration remained committed to protecting public assets, ensuring the safety of road users and maintaining law and order across the state.
Sanwo-Olu added that the state government would continue to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard Lagos and create an environment where law-abiding residents and businesses could thrive.
(The Sun)
