By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has flagged off Installation of streetlights equipped with surveillance features within the Federal Capital City (FCC).
Wike during the flag off ceremony tagged Light Up Abuja project on Thursday emphasised that the project will go a long way in enhancing security which will definitely translate into reduction of crime within the city.
He noted that the absence of streetlights has made Abuja vulnerable to insecurity, with almost 80% of the city in darkness.
According to him: “So it has been a sense of concern for me and my team. But we felt that we must take up the challenge. When we came on board August 2023, one thing anybody who visits Abuja or who resides in Abuja will identify is that totally almost 80% of the entire city is in darkness”.
“Secondly, there was this issue of insecurity when we came on board. So we are trying to see how do we tackle this issue. If we continue to leave Abuja in darkness, obviously insecurity will increase. So we decided to do what we can and what was available”.
As a measure to tackle the menace of sabotage and vandalism which had been noted with such project in the past, Wike disclosed that the new streetlights come with surveillance features to enable authorities identify and apprehend any intruders making attempt either to damage or steal the any of the light components.
“Another sabotage will come from the criminals. Criminals will not believe that it will be difficult for them to go and steal cables, it will be difficult for them to vandalize the poles because now there will be security features. They will know it will no longer be easy, and It will no longer be business as usual. So they will have their own style of campaign. Let me assure everybody that our security agencies will work in synergy with the companies to make sure that this project is being protected”.
“Another area of attack will be those who normally buy these poles. When they vandalize them, they go and sell to them to resell. It is no longer going to be business as usual. So you will also see attack from that area”.
“One thing that attracted me was the fact that they are going to put surveillance features so that if you go and try to vandalize it or try to steal it, they will be able to identify it. And so that issue, I was happy that that area had been solved”.
To tackle in house sabotage from the administration, the Minister revealed that the companies responsible for the installation will maintain the streetlights for 4-5 years, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance
“So when you are driving in the night, you will be calling to say, have you passed this street? There’s no light there. They’ll say, Yes, we are trying to start maintenance tomorrow. The next that I go out, you will see light by 7. By 11 o’clock, everything off. I’ll call and say, are you not the one that has done the light here. They’ll say, Yes it’s just this night that it happened. So, it became aproblem for me, with headache, I’ll just come back home tired. I said, I’m tired”.
“But I thank God this time around, that they’ll be nothing like maintenance because the two companies will maintain it for 4-5 years. And so, I will not see file for maintenance of so so thing. Everything has been built in and the companies will have to maintain it for four or five years. The company has to make sure there’s security for it”.
Earlier in her vote of thanks,FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, highlighted that the street lighting project in Abuja is a multifaceted initiative aimed at enhancing safety, security, and sustainability in the city.
She emphasized that the project will not only improve security and safety for residents and businesses but also promote clean and renewable energy, reducing the city’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, it will support the Administration’s Smart City Agenda, positioning Abuja as a model for sustainable urban living.
