Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has decried the increased vandalisation of public utility assets, particularly water pipes and valves within the water galleries in the Enugu metropolis.
Mbah tasked security operatives, particularly the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to immediately apprehend those behind the continued vandalisation of water pipes and public utility assets in the state.
The Governor gave the task when the new Controller of Immigration, Enugu State, Angelina Sambo, and the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Otoibhi Ehi, led the top echelons of their state commands on separate familiarisation and working visits to the Governor at the Government House, Enugu.
While pledging continued collaboration with the agencies, he urged the state commandant of the NSCDC to help bring the vandalization of water installations to an end.
“I want to put on record my deep appreciation for the support and commitment we have been receiving from your officers and men. Enugu State is today among the most peaceful and secure state to live in this country and this is thanks to your men and other security agencies.
“But our work is not done yet. There are a couple of challenges we are still noticing, especially in the security of our public utility assets. We promised our people that water would flow in their homes in Enugu city in 180 days. We needed to generate as much as 80 million liters of water in order to cover the consumption level of the city. But today we are producing 120,000,000 litters of water.
“We would have really loved to sit back and be rejoicing because we are actually doing 150 per cent of our actual consumption level. Unfortunately, we are still having to deal with vandalisation and stealing of government assets.
“Just this morning, I received a call that some people went and destroyed a valve somewhere around Akwata and we have water gushing out from there. So, even with the locks that we have provided to protect the valves, we still have to deal with these pockets of criminalities. The same is happening to the water galleries or stands.
“So, we have no option but to sustain and build on the security status of Enugu State. We have zero tolerance for insecurity, and we have zero tolerance for bad behaviors, vandalisation, and stealing of government assets. This must stop,” he stated.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) pledged stronger partnership with the Enugu State Government to consolidate the improved security and investment environment in the state.
According to the NSCDC State Commandant, Otoibhi Ehi, who commended Mbah for the logistical supports to the corps, the improved security in Enugu State was due to Governor Mbah’s audacity and cooperation with the security agencies in the state.
“I pledge my unalloyed commitment to the security and safety of this state under your able watch and also pledge to contribute my quota in the continued improvement of the security and protection of critical infrastructure within the state. I will also work in synergy with other security agencies to fully bring Enugu State back to its glorious days,” he stated.
Controller of Immigration Angelina Sambo, while commending Mbah for making Enugu State peaceful and secure within a very short period, assured that the reforms initiated so far by the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, would help consolidate the improved security in the state.
“The Enugu State Command of the Immigration Service will continue to operate within the ambit of its extant laws to check, control, as well as monitor the presence of non-Nigerians and other activities in Enugu State, so as to see that non-Nigerians in our midst are legal resident workers or visitors and that they operate within the context of the laws of Nigeria,” she added.
