Edith CHUKU
Concerns have been raised over the vandalization and theft of manhole covers in Eneka Community of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, as residents push for immediate intervention to cover the manholes.
They expressed worry over the danger posed by the unprotected manholes, and charged the LG chairman, Dr. Gift Worlu, the community leaders and vigilante to ensure the apprehension of manhole cover thieves and those patronizing them.
When TNN visited the Igwuruta-Eneka-Rumuokwurushi road, especially the Eneka First Market axis where the new flyover is sited, most of the manhole covers had been stolen, few were protected with vehicle tyres while others were left uncovered.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Ikechukwu Duru, wondered how manhole vandalism and theft would happen in such very busy area and the perpetrators would cart away manhole covers without being caught.
“It is so surprising that someone will spend hours breaking this manhole covers along this very busy road and get away with it without being caught, I am really surprised because this is not wood that you can cut so easily.
“Ofcourse, leaving it unprotected like this is very dangerous to business people, hawkers, especially school children. This area is very busy, anybody can fall into any of these holes and saving such life will require a miracle.
“It is very important for government to come to our aid and help in covering the manholes. Also, the community leaders and security must do the needful to ensure that it is not stolen.
“We have more than 70 schools in this area, their students use this road, it is very risky. The Obio/Akpor chairman should please help us.”
Earlier, Mr. Chinedu Idika who trades at the first market junction in Eneka community noted that, “this for me is very risky, very risky you know, it is not wise to overlook something like this, anybody can fall into it whether by mistake or not, both adults and especially children, this is not good at all.
“My sister, if anybody, be you whoever fall into this thing, you will just die there, the person will just die inside this thing, again there is water inside and the water is moving, the water will just carry the person away in seconds, before people will come to help, the person is gone.
Idika told TNN that “neglecting the danger associated by this open something is putting the lives of residents in jeopardy, so we are begging government to help us and cover it.”
Speaking of the importance of the manhole, a woman who introduced herself simply as Mrs. Ngozi said that “this manhole is created so that we that are walking on foot can use it and avoid walking on major road because of accidents.
“See, this thing is also very dangerous to health, it can give sickness, serious one, people sell food that people eat here, and this thing is smelling, if not for anything, for our health.”
Other residents expressed fear, saying that if a person mistakenly falls into the manhole it will be almost impossible to find the person talk more of bringing him or her out alive.
In his part, the former Community Development Committee Chairman CDC, Mr Bestman Worlu, had warned those involved in the theft of manhole cover, and those who patronize them to desist from the act.
Worlu who expresses sadness that most manhole covers along Eneka-Igwuruta and Eneka-Rumukwurushi road had been stolen, stressed that by damaging the manhole and carting away with the cover, lives of residents are been endangered.
“This reckless act of vandalizing manhole and carting away the covers must end, how can a normal human being, I mean a normal individual wilfully damage, destroy something that is meant to safeguard and prevent loss of lives.
“I’m shocked that people can carry-out this kind of inhuman act. Look at it again, those things were carefully mutilated, they are not wood, so some heartless individuals took their time in odd hours and defaced those manholes, and normal human beings who claims to have conscience are buying it from them.
“I want to appeal and warn that this reckless act be put to end. Its pedestrians walk way, anybody can fall into it, anybody, this is not fair, seriously, it’s heartbreaking.”
He further appealed to residents not to hesitate to raise alarm when they sight anyone defacing government properties or things put in place for general use.
