DANLAMI NMODU holds a Master’s degree in Strategy and Security Admninstration from Nigerian Defence Academy,NDA Kaduna and publishes Newsdiaryonline.com in Abuja.He believes there are different perspectives to the issue of vandalization of public property.
What in your view predisposes Nigerians to acts of vandalizing government property?
Several reasons(ore is it excuses) can be adduced for this activity.There are those who are unemployed and see it as a way of fending for themselves.This group of people may also include criminals who simply take delight in stealing.I mean the criminally- minded.But there are those who see vandalization as a form of protest.Like those agitating for some form of economic or environmental reforms or transformation .Such people may resort to vandalization to register their point or something like that. Some see vandalization as a tool of protest. There are different perspectives really.Most vandals are criminals (though).
How prevalent would you say this trend is in Nigeria?
Like in every country the activities of vandals are a major source of concern especially where there are high worth materials like power cables, oil pipelines.Oil pipeline vandalization is believed to be a regular occurrence not only in the Niger Delta but also in other states outside the Nigeria’s oil rich region.Remember the constant battles with oil pipeline vandals in Lagos and other states across the country.It is a worrying trend.
What are the cost of such to the country, the society and the individual?
It’s difficult to give a financial figure from outside government .But there is no doubt that Nigeria’s is being drained a of huge resources by pipeline and other acts of vandalization of public properties.The worrying case of oil theft I believe is often carried out partly through pipeline vandalism .The theft of power cables and related items has also been taking a heavy toll on the new owners of power companies.I remember they were urged recently tom liaise with security agencies to curtail the activities of vandals.The society is the worse for it because successful vandals ultimately emerge richer at the expense of the majority .They also foster pauperization as what is meant for majority is stolen by the few.Even at individual level, you can look at the cost in different ways.For the vandals ,it is a risky business.Most of them have ended in the net of security agencies.Some have been killed or so.Another angle you may look at this from is that vandals deny individuals what they are entitled to.Vandals are like robbers.
What would you recommend as solutions to these problems ?
I know the security forces are being stretched ,or if you like ,overstretched because of the activities of terrorists and their involvement in unfolding political process.Yet, one must not fail to remind our security agents and managers that effective intelligence-I mean human intelligence as well as the effective deployment of technology to protect public infrastructure remain paramount.Adequate publicity about the dangers of vandalization is also required.
Do you think that government monitors its facilities and infrastructures well?
From what we see around it appears government tries to monitor.But effective monitoring is a problem.Don’t forget that there could be ‘insider dealings’ when you look at criminally -minded vandalization.
Would you say that most people destroy properties because of no sense of being part of government who put such infrastructure in place?
There is no doubt that some vandalize because they don’t have a sense f belonging.But there are also these poor governance problems.You will realize that public properties in ungoverned spaces where you have little presence of government agencies or monitoring structure are easily vandalized.This is not to say infrastructure in cities are not vandalized too.Even the new wave of terrorism has led to vandalization of public utilities as we can all see. In answering the question remember that aside from criminals, there are politically motivated vandalization in protest against the system etc.
