By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Residents of Maitama and Kubwa have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to address the growing concern about inadequate street lighting, which has left the areas vulnerable to criminal activities in recent months.
A resident of Maitama, Dr Mary Agbamuche, issued a statement on Sunday on behalf of concerned residents of Maitama and Kubwa, urging the Minister to prioritise lighting up these areas as part of efforts to transform the nation’s capital.
According to Agbamuche, the lack of proper maintenance in many parts of Maitama and Kubwa expressway has created an environment that fosters criminal activities.
She firmly believes that maintaining street lighting would not only deter criminals but also significantly enhance the safety and security of residents, making it a crucial step towards a safer community.
“We need streetlights to illuminate our neighbourhoods, especially at night. These dark spots are unsafe and give criminals a chance to operate under cover of darkness,” she said.
She, however, added, “From our inquiry, we gather that the AMMC coordinator is on top of the issue to ensure a contractor with capacity moves to the site this week.”
In addition to safety concerns, a civil servant resident in the Kubwa area of the FCT, Mr. Fabian Benjamin, emphasized that lighting up these areas would enhance Abuja’s aesthetic beauty, further aligning with the city’s status as Nigeria’s capital.
He said, “Abuja is a beautiful city, but a few parts don’t reflect that because they are poorly lit. Proper lighting would enhance not just security but also the beauty of our streets.”
The resident expressed hope that the Federal Capital Territory Administration will take swift action to light up Maitama, Kubwa expressways, and other areas that have suffered from insufficient lighting for the past few months.
They believe this would help curb criminal activities and promote a safer, visually appealing city.
