By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
In a more sane society, the provision of streetlights in every nooks and crannies by the federal, state and local authorities is non-negotiable.
But, this is Nigeria where individuals rather than governments at the three levels listed above are responsible for the provision of basic infrastructures and services including the installation of streetlights, sinking of boreholes to provide water for the people.
They also contribute money to construct roads and procure electric transformers if the citizens want to enjoy public power supply.
In fact, it can be argued that in Nigeria of today, there is absolutely nothing the three tiers of governments are providing for the citizens from social amenities, healthcare, and educational facilities.
This is why it is a thing of joy when the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which is equivalent to a state in Nigeria, has decided to embarked on the installation of solar streetlights across the six Area Councils in the territory.
From Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji, the FCTA under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has done better than some of the past ministers in the infrastructural development of the country’s seat of government.
Road constructions and provision of streetlights, especially in the Abuja metropolis, have been a top priority for Wike as some of the abandoned roads in the metropolis and satellite towns of Abuja have received face-lift with contractors returning to the sites while streetlights have been installed in some areas.
Among the areas where streetlights have been installed or reactivated are the ever-busy 10-lane Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and inner roads in the metropolis and suburbs.
But Prompt News reports that although streetlights have been installed in some of the roads in FCT, most of the streetlights are not functioning well or not working at all, a situation which has defeated the purpose of installing the streetlights in the first place.
Investigations have revealed that a large number of newly installed streetlights in FCT are not working, especially the solar-powered streetlights, at many parts of Abuja.
For example, the solar-powered streetlights installed along the Apo- Lokogoma- Galadimawa roundabout through Dantata Bridge, Jabi road, and Airport Road junction, in AMAC are not functioning as the time of filing this report.
A drive around Abuja metropolis in the odd hours showed that most of the streetlights are not functioning as darkness still envelopes the streets while pedestrians and other road users are left at the mercy of miscreants who attack their victims under the darkness.
A resident of Trademore Estate, Apo-Dutse, Abuja, Chief Edmund Ikoro confirmed that the solar-powered streetlights that run from Apo Mechanic junction to Galadimawa roundabout through Lokogoma have not been working since late last year when they were installed.
He said that although he appreciates the installation of streetlights like other residents but they have not worked to serve the purpose they are meant for in the first place, arguing that it is not enough to instal streetlights that are functioning to illuminate the roads in Abuja.
Also speaking on the issue, Alhaji Abdul-Jaar’far Ibrahim, who resides in the Mbora District of FCT, said that he has observed that most of the streetlights have not worked and called on the FCT minister to ensure that the contractors who installed the streetlights make them to work.
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