Lagos Assembly seeks stronger support for neighborhood safety corps

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to strengthen and adequately empower the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) to enable it discharge its duties effectively.

The lawmakers also urged the state government to provide adequate funding, equipment and training for personnel of the corps to enhance their capacity to tackle security challenges across the state.

The resolutions were reached during plenary on Monday following a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Moshood Aro, on the incessant vandalisation of public infrastructure in the state.

Aro expressed concern over the activities of vandals, particularly in the Festac Town area, and called for the speedy prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the destruction of public facilities. He said the vandalisation of roads, bridges and other infrastructure funded with taxpayers’ money was becoming worrisome and required urgent action.

Aro said, “Public infrastructure vandalism is becoming worrisome in Lagos. We are seeing the destruction of roads, bridges and public facilities provided with taxpayers’ money. There is a need to curb this menace, especially those who patronise the vandals. This act has also attracted global attention, as some of our friends have been sending videos to us and asking if it truly happens in Lagos.”

He stressed that significant public funds were spent on the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure being destroyed, warning that continued vandalism amounted to a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo I) said vandals operated without considering the consequences of their actions and urged the state government to take decisive measures to curb the menace.

Other lawmakers supported the motion and called for stronger enforcement of laws against vandalism, including action against those who buy and sell stolen government property.

However, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said insecurity, vandalism, sanitation and law enforcement required a coordinated response.

He called for stronger support for the LNSC through funding, equipment and training, noting that the corps should receive attention similar to the police.

Obasa also urged lawmakers to ensure that laws passed by the House were effectively implemented, with relevant committees monitoring enforcement and ensuring that necessary provisions were captured in the state budget.