The Nigerian House of Representatives, has decried what it described as “perpetual darkness” on major roads and streets within the metropolis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at night, owing to inadequate street lights.
To this end, the House urged the Minister of FCT, Bello Mohammed, to “urgently provide street lights in all major roads, streets, under the bridges and roundabouts within Abuja metropolis”, in addition to provisions of signposts and traffic lights.
Resolution of the House was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye (Kosofe federal constituency of Lagos State), which was extensively debated upon by members.
While leading the debate, Agunsoye argued that, “the prevalence of darkness on the roads and streets in the FCT creates avenues for men of the underworld to perpetrate crimes, touting and intimidation of unsuspecting citizens and also makes the city less receptive and attractive to residents and visitors”.
He said, “despite the prevailing darkness almost everywhere in the FCT at night, there is hardly any presence of either stationery or patrol police vans along the very dangerous stretch of roads and under the bridges and roundabouts”.
Agunsoye made reference to states like Lagos and Anambra which had to power street lights with standby generators at night, should there be power outage.
Speakers after speakers, the House acknowledged the need for proper policing of the dark points within the metropolis and called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately deploy more police officers and vans to major roads and strategic areas in the FCT.
To ensure compliance and implementation, the House mandated its committee on Federal Capital Territory to carry out its legislative oversight on the Federal Capital Territory Administration.