Some pedestrian bridges erected in some parts of Lagos State have been vandalised by suspected miscreants, leaving commuters at risk of plying the expressway.
An investigation by the newsmen on Tuesday revealed that the pedestrian bridges were not fully utilised by commuters, giving suspected miscreants the opportunity to vandalise the bridge.
The newsmen who visited the Ladipo and Oshodi pedestrian bridges observed that some major parts of the bridge had been damaged.
A commuter identified as Adaeze claimed that some hoodlums remove the galvanized steel and aluminium and sell them to iron dealers.
Adaeze said,
“I do not use the pedestrian bridge at all. The pedestrian bridge is now an easy access for robbery and many commuters do not want to experience robbery and they also do not want to stress themselves.
“Actually some miscreants remove some parts of the bridge to sell. I do not blame them because there is poverty in the country and they are very hungry.
“The country has changed now and the youths are unemployed, leaving them with no choice but to vandalise the bridge. I advise the government to provide job opportunities in the country because I believe it will reduce the rate of insecurity in the country and also the rate of theft and vandalisation,” she concluded.
A shop owner identified as Uzor said aside from vandalisation, the pedestrian bridge is not fully utilized, stating that this makes the bridge deteriorate.
Uzor said,
“Commuters are always in haste and some of them consider it as a waste of time to use the bridge. I feel aside from vandalisation, the pedestrian bridge is wearing out because of lack of utilisation.
“I will say miscreants intentionally remove the materials on the bridge because the people do not use the bridge,” he added.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Gboyega Akosile, said the government would repair all the bridges, adding that the state security network would eradicate miscreants vandalising the pedestrian bridge.