Public asset vandalism: A-Ibom govt places responsibility on village heads

By Khubayb Adefaka

Any village that has a government presence, and there is vandalism of government property in that village, we will withdraw the certificate of the village head,” the governor state.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has declared that village heads will be held accountable for any future vandalism of government property within their communities.

The governor made the announcement while addressing journalists at the Government House in Uyo over the weekend.

Eno warned that any act of destruction of public infrastructure in communities hosting government facilities would attract sanctions against traditional leaders.

“Any village that has a government presence, and there is vandalism of government property in that village, we will withdraw the certificate of the village head,” the governor stated.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the ease with which well-equipped public schools and other government facilities are vandalized by hoodlums, describing the trend as unacceptable.

To address the issue, the governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, alongside the State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, to urgently convene a meeting with village heads across the state to brief them on the new directive.

Eno further urged residents to remain security-conscious and take collective responsibility for safeguarding public assets, stressing that government property belongs to the people and must be protected.

On plans to provide mini water projects in each ward of the state, the governor disclosed that the initiative would be implemented through the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Committee. He also directed that his personal assistants in all wards be actively involved in the execution of the projects.