The Lagos State Government has raised concerns over the widespread theft of public infrastructure across the state, revealing that scavengers and vandals have removed no fewer than 6,000 manhole covers, leaving roads and highways dangerously exposed and posing grave risks to motorists and pedestrians.
Meanwhile, 4,000 of the stolen manholes have been replaced with fibre covers, about 2,000 remain uncovered, prompting renewed concerns over public safety and the growing menace of infrastructure vandalism in Africa’s largest city.
The disclosure was made on Monday by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, during a joint press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
“We have 6,000 exposed manholes throughout the state. We have been replacing them with fibre materials and have about 2,000 left to replace,” Daramola said.
“Protecting public infrastructure requires a collective effort. Government property belongs to all of us and must be safeguarded against theft and vandalism.”
The government said it has intensified stakeholder engagements and is working closely with security and enforcement agencies to curb the theft of critical public assets, which continues to drain public resources and threaten lives.
The revelation came as officials highlighted major infrastructure achievements under the Sanwo-Olu administration, including the completion of 362 roads covering approximately 347 kilometres since 2019, with an additional 130 roads spanning 113 kilometres delivered within the last year alone.
Among key projects cited were the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road in Agege, Abaranje Road in Alimosho, and several strategic road networks across Ikorodu and Badagry.
Daramola disclosed that several major projects, including sections of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway corridor and critical roads in Ojo, Ikorodu and Alimosho, have been completed and are awaiting commissioning.
He stressed that the government’s infrastructure strategy is focused on building resilient transport networks capable of supporting the mobility and economic needs of Lagos’ rapidly expanding population of more than 20 million residents.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory revealed that it conducted 52,969 concrete tests on buildings within the last year as part of efforts to combat the persistent challenge of building collapse.
The agency’s General Manager, Olayinka Abdul, disclosed that 4,649 compliance notices were issued to developers and contractors during the period, but only 46.9 per cent complied with the directives.
She warned that strict monitoring and enforcement measures would continue against developers who fail to meet prescribed construction standards.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, disclosed that significant progress has been made in healthcare infrastructure, including the ongoing construction of a 280-bed General Hospital in Ojo, a 150-bed Massey Children’s Hospital, and a 1,500-bed Psychiatric Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Ketu-Ejinrin.
Olayinka said the projects are expected to improve healthcare delivery while generating thousands of jobs for residents.