The Delta State Prevention and Prohibition of Destruction and Vandalization of Public Properties and Assets Bill, 2024 has scaled through second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The bill which was read the second time during Wednesday’s plenary session of the House presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor has the Member representing Okpe State Constituency and Chairman Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Hon (Chief) James Augoye as lead sponsor.
It also has 19 co-sponsors.
The bill according to Hon Augoye who led debate on its merits, seeks to criminalize the acts of vandalizing public properties across all sectors in the State.
Augoye, a former Commissioner for Works in the State, hinted that the bill was informed by his ugly experiences as a member of the Delta State Executive Council where in presided over the Ministry of Works for more than six years.
The Lawmaker disclosed several observed deliberate and untold massive destruction of public properties across the state by some miscreants just for no reason but to destroy public assets for selfish interests.
He explained that the way forward to check the urgly and ever growing trend is to enact a law in the state for arrest and prosecution of anyone caught in the act of destroying public properties.
“Dear colleagues, let me begin by telling you that this bill before us today is borne out of my experience as Commissioner for Works in the State where, during my tours across the various local government areas of the State, saw how public properties were destroyed by some miscreants.
“More worrisome is the fact that most of those destructions were carried out by service providers who brazenly cut some sections of our road and pipes”, Augoye stated.
Continuing he said, “There are yet some situations where some persons would pour raw acid on road thereby causing artificial potholes.
“In my local government for instance, at Ugbokodo Secondary School, a three block of classroom was set ablaze by some youths who were said to be hunting rabbits
“The recent trend now is a situation where electric wires in some public buildings were being vandalized, burnt and sold as well as those done on our bridges. The list of these vandalism is endless” the Lawmaker emphasized.
Hon Augoye, stressed further that the situation is condemnable and unacceptable, noting that there was the need for a legal framework with all the necessary provisions and backing in order to protect public properties in the State.
He pointed out that the Bill which is made up of 6 parts and 53 clauses, clearly spells out penalties for any offender.
“My dear colleagues, let us owe this bill, protect it as it will in turn protect our collective assets. We need legal instrument to curb the menace of vandalism of public properties”, Hon Augoye stressed.
Other lawmakers, included the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, member representing, Bomadi, Oboro Preyor, Ika North East, Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, Burutu 2, Oloye Pereotu, Oshimili North, Frank Esenwah, Patani, Emmanuel Sinibe and Oshimili South, Bridget Anyafulu, described the proposed law as apt to the development of the state.
While calling on the speedy passage of the bill, the Lawmakers maintain that vandalization of public properties affects service delivery.
They said they were several advantages in the proposed law and commended the lead sponsor, Hon James Augoye for his sound presentation on the bill and all it intends to achieve in the state.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, who commended the quality debates on bill and referred it to the House Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privilege for further legislative actions.
He directed the Committee to turn in the report in the next two weeks.