Okpebholo orders Edo scrap dealers to rebuild vandalised schools
…suspected Benin Moat vandals nabbed Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the Edo State Scrap Dealers Association to rebuild vandalised schools within the Benin City metropolis. The scrap dealers
…suspected Benin Moat vandals nabbed
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the Edo State Scrap Dealers Association to rebuild vandalised schools within the Benin City metropolis.
The scrap dealers said it would cost them N50m.
Besides the vandalised schools, some community youth leaders known as Okaighele have been arrested for encroaching on the Benin Moat.
Governor Okpebholo also issued a 21-day notice to squatters who built makeshift houses inside the Benin Moat to go and secure proper accommodation.
He said the makeshift houses would be demolished after the expiration of the 21-day notice.
Chairman of Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Eugene Okoloise, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City,
Okoloise said the Scrap Dealers would be held responsible for any havoc caused by scrap collectors.
He said Chairman of the Scrap Dealers, Alhaji Abbas Garuba, was arrested and made to sign an undertaking that any school vandalised in any part of the state would be fixed by the association.
According to him, "We have been having a series of attacks on our public schools. The state government will complete a school, and the next day it is vandalised. They will remove the roof, the iron handles in the chairs, and the scrap dealers are the ones buying from the vandals.
"We are not saying they should not live with us. They are Nigerians, but they should not be attacking the state infrastructure. I have warned them and spoken to them. They have removed all the metal manholes cover in the state. Starting today, we will close any scrap dump discovered on state property.
"We will charge those arrested in court on Monday. We have arrested six scrap dealers. If they must continue their business. They have to go and fix the schools. They said they paid somebody N2m to help them fix the school after vandalising goods worth N10m. They have agreed to fix the Fabiyi Akpata Primary School next week.
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"They must fix it, or they will forget about their businesses in Edo State. We have given those sleeping inside the moat and in the streets 21 days to go and rent an apartment. We have given them 21 days to leave the moat. They used the school roofing sheet to build thatched houses inside the moat. We will continue to arrest them.
"We have arrested many community youth leaders who sand filled and sold parts of the Benin Moat. The moat is a national monument. Those who built on the moat will suffer for it. They are covering the moat to sell them."
Alhaji Garuba said it was the community boys that are responsible for vandalising schools.
Chairman, Arewa Community, Alhaji Bandamasi Salleh, said extra vigilance would be put in place to ensure security in all schools.
He called on the state government to provide security in all public schools.
