Abuja: Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike says contractors installing and managing streetlights across Abuja are embedding security features to deter vandals, aiming to safeguard infrastructure and reduce costly repairs.
Wike, who disclosed this after inspecting some ongoing road projects in Abuja on Thursday, noted that most streetlights were being vandalised by criminals.
He identified the companies as China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and CGC Nigerian Ltd.
He said that the contract includes installing security features on streetlights to prevent theft across the territory.
“The streetlights will have a Surveillance Module, which is an electronic monitoring system, with a Control Room where the monitoring takes place. This means any attempt to vandalise them will be recorded and tracked.
“CCECC is doing well. They have almost finished the Airport Road.
“We will take steps to ensure that after both companies finish, theft of the streetlights is greatly reduced,” he said.
The Minister explained that the measure was necessary because there were insufficient security personnel to protect streetlights.
“I mean, how many policemen will you have on the road to go and check vandalism of street lights?
“So, by the time they finish, we’ll be able to see a situation room—a central location equipped with monitoring technology—where we could monitor what is going on. So, that’s how we are trying to reduce that vandalism,” Wike said.
Wike had inaugurated a solar lighting project designed to illuminate Abuja, curb insecurity, and reduce the financial burden of streetlight maintenance.
The solar-powered streetlight project was inaugurated in October 2025 to illuminate 80 per cent of the city.
