07
Jan
Jan
ABUJA STEEL COMPANY IMPLICATED IN THEFT OF SEWAGE MANHOLE COVERS
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Nicolas Adekeye / 2 weeks
- 0
- 2 min read
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has identified Abuja Steel Company as one of the alleged receivers of stolen sewage manhole covers from Abuja highways. A statement signed by Senior Special Assistant (Public Communications and New Media) to FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, said the company, located along Abuja-Kaduna Road, had “exhibits of interest” seized and is under investigation for its role in the theft and melting of these covers. As noted by Olayinka, further investigations are ongoing to uncover the involvement of the company and others in the removal, purchase, and melting of the manhole covers. The arrested persons are assisting the security agencies with useful information about the buyers of the vandalized infrastructure. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has expressed dismay over the situation, stating, “It is disheartening that while the government spends public funds to provide amenities for Nigerians, some criminally minded individuals remove these amenities and sell them, disregarding the danger their actions pose to fellow citizens.” He emphasized that these acts are not merely thefts but serious safety issues that endanger citizens. As Lere Olayinka stated, replacement of the manhole covers that were removed by the vandals commenced yesterday, as directed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The Minister commended the citizen who recorded and shared the video that led to these arrests, calling it a “demonstration of patriotism” that is crucial for societal change. In a related development, Abuja Steel Company has denied allegations of purchasing stolen manhole covers, describing the accusations as baseless and inconsistent with its core values and operational principles. According to Olayinka, the company’s denial is being investigated, and the public will be informed of further developments.
