The Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has expressed grave concern over the rampant theft and vandalism of streetlight infrastructure and other electrical installations across the state, revealing that an estimated N1.7 billion is lost annually due to these criminal activities.
The board’s Public Lighting Representative, Omotayo Halid, shared this alarming statistic during a Stakeholders Town Hall Engagement aimed at addressing the protection of streetlight infrastructure. The event, held at Y Arena in Ikoyi, Lagos, brought together a wide range of community stakeholders, including local development associations, security personnel, and transport unions, to discuss strategies for safeguarding the city’s critical electrical infrastructure.
Halid highlighted the enormous financial impact of the theft and vandalism, stressing that the losses could be better utilized in improving other sectors, such as education and healthcare, which are crucial for the state’s development. “Let me begin by sharing a certain statistic with you,” Halid remarked, “The Lagos State Electricity Board alone loses N1.7bn every year to theft and vandalisation of electrical installations across the state. You can imagine if this was used to address other infrastructures across the state like education, and healthcare.”
The stolen or damaged assets, which include electrical installations, transformers, underground cables, and generators, have significant consequences for both the infrastructure and the general public. According to Halid, the theft of critical equipment could result in entire areas being plunged into darkness, thereby increasing the risk of accidents and making it more difficult for emergency services to respond. Additionally, he noted that health workers face increased pressure as they struggle to operate under poor lighting conditions, which hampers their ability to provide timely care.
LSEB Chairman, K.A.T. Balogun, emphasized that the responsibility for protecting these assets falls not only on the government but also on the local communities. He urged residents to consider the preservation of electrical infrastructure as a joint effort, with both the state and its citizens playing a crucial role in ensuring that these facilities remain intact and functional. “The streetlight infrastructures constructed by the state government is a joint responsibility between the Lagos State and all the communities,” Balogun said. “It is important that we think that way, so that if we see any person around these infrastructures and acting suspiciously, you can always call on us.”
The meeting also served as a platform for brainstorming practical solutions to combat the increasing wave of vandalism. Key stakeholders, including police officers, local vigilantes, community representatives, and transport unions, discussed various measures that could be implemented to protect streetlight installations. CSP Ishola Olugboye, the Divisional Police Officer for Lion Building, Ikoyi, revealed that some residents had been complicit in the thefts, colluding with vandals to carry out these criminal operations. However, he assured the attendees that the police would be stepping up their efforts to curb the menace, with increased surveillance and more effective policing.
The town hall meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between the government, security agencies, and the general public in addressing the theft of streetlight infrastructure. With such a substantial amount of money being lost annually, there is a growing recognition that the protection of these assets is vital not only for maintaining public safety but also for ensuring the continued development and well-being of the state. By working together, the stakeholders believe that they can reduce the incidences of vandalism and theft, ultimately safeguarding the city’s critical infrastructure and the quality of life for its residents.
