Road users and residents are now worried over the disappearance of two manhole covers on the newly constructed Rumuogba Flyover (formerly Artillery junctions) along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
The missing covers have left the manholes dangerously open, and some motorists have warned that it is a death trap; a disaster waiting to happen, if the authorities do not immediately address the issue.
“The way this thing is paining me. It almost caused an accident behind me the other day. I cannot understand why somebody will deliberately endanger the lives of others for personal gains,” Caleb Ejoiwhor said.
Timothy Ayang, another motorist, said it has become expedient that the Rivers State Government sets up a task force to protect and apprehend manhole cover thieves, prosecute them in order to save public funds and the lives of citizens.
“And this is the newly built flyover. I have said this before, that government should set up a task force to deal with or handle this area of business from the point of receiving this items to the point of loading across the state, so as to supervise their activities. Not task force that will run after or pull down poor market women umbrellas and taxi driver. This will help a lot.”
Meanwhile, a resident, Oma Wonodi, who told our correspondent that she almost fell into an open manhole in her neighborhood also suggested tougher measures by the government to curb manhole thieving. Like Ayang, Oma who accused “aboki” scavengers of being behind the thefts, also recommended that a taskforce be mobilised to go after them.
“I almost fell into this death trap on my way to work yesterday, but God, being so merciful, saved me. Task force should channel their energy to this direction. Market sellers and drivers are not our problem, this heartless aboki scavengers are the real problem. They do this majorly at night under the guise of waste disposal. Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike needs to address this as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, an aide to the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Ichenwo Goodluck, has alleged that there is a location within the city where stolen manhole covers are weighed and sold for as low as four thousand naira.
“They will later use the money for drugs. Imagine a vehicle on high speed bumping into this manhole. Of course, a summersualt and a fatal crash will be inevitable.
“Dear residents, let’s be weary using this lane for now. Until something is done.”
