Oyo State government has threatened to clamp down on vandals and cable thieves sabotaging the state’s Light-Up Project, warning that it will henceforth deal ruthlessly with those engaged in the criminal act.
The state’s Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barrister Seun Ashamu, who gave the warning while briefing journalists after the state Executive Council meeting, said government would go tougher with such criminal mind individuals who he described as saboteurs of the spirited efforts of the Governor Seyi Makinde- led government at making basic amenities accessible to the citizens that will boost the economic activities across the state.
The commissioner urged residents to assist by being watchful and reporting any suspicious movement around the poles, power station, and road to law enforcement agencies.
He also released hotlines (07004449999 or call 615) to report the activities of saboteurs or any malfunctioning lights.
Ashamu explained that the state government approved the payment of N3.1billion as a backlog for the operation and maintenance of the light-up project from January 2020 to April 2023 following the damages that were done to the project by vandals, thieves, and accidents.
It was gathered that frequent accidents on the major dualised roads contributed to the poor operation of the light-up project in some areas of the state.
“Very recently, no fewer than nine major car crashes were recorded with one fatality as a result of reckless driving around Akala Express Elebu, Eleyele Bus-stop, Sango-Eleyele Road, Orita Challenge Market, New Garage, all in the Ibadan metropolis”, he said.