BY ANDREW IKEHI
The Delta State Prevention and Prohibition of Destruction and Vandalisation of Public Properties and Assets Bill, 2024 was yesterday read for the second time on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The bill being sponsored by the Member representing Okpe State Constituency, Hon James Augoye alongside 19 others seeks to criminalize the acts of vandalising public properties in the State.
Leading debate on the bill, Hon. Augoye, former Commissioner for Works in the State, hinted that the bill was informed by his ugly experience as commissioner in the works sector where he noted that he observed untold massive destruction of public properties by some miscreants in the State. He said, “Dear colleagues, let me begin by telling you that this bill before us today is borne out of my experience as commissioner for works in the State where, during my tours across the various local government areas of the State, I saw how public properties were destroyed by miscreants.
“More worrisome is the fact that those destructions were carried out by service providers who brazenly cut some sections of our road and pipes
“There are yet some situations where some persons would pour raw acid on road thereby causing artificial potholes
“In my local government for instance, at Ugbokodo Secondary School, a three block of classroom was set ablaze by some youths who were said to be hunting rabbits
“The recent trend now is a situation where electric wires in some public buildings were being vandalized, burnt and sold as well as those done on our bridges. The list of these vandalism is endless” Augoye said
Decrying the situation, Hon. Augoye, while describing the situation as unacceptable, noted that there was the need for a legal backing in order to protect public properties in the State.
Other lawmakers, who included the Majority Leader and member representing Aniocha North State Constituency, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, member representing Ika North East, Hon Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, Burutu 2, Hon. Oloye Pereotu, Patani, Hon. Emmanuel Sinibe, Bomadi, Hon. Oboro Preyor, among others, spoke on the merits of the bill, just as they called for its speedy passage.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor referred the bill to the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privilege for further legislative scrutiny, urging them to report back in the next two weeks.
