Streetlights are hallmarks of any modern city. They do not only enhance the security of the city, but also help to create nightlife in a city.
Numbers of streets in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, do not have streetlights, although this situation may not have begun with the present administration in Imo.
The absence of streetlights render streets and roads not only very dark in the night, but also, as operational ground for hoodlums who leverage the prevailing darkness to rob innocent citizens of their valuables, even harm them.
However, it can be observed that in some streets or roads where streetlights are already installed in Owerri, many of tgem are not functional.
In many streets and roads, streetlight facilities installed during the Sam Mbakwe era, or during military rule, are visible but non functional.
There are good spirited individuals or corporate bodies who have volunteered to sponsor the installation of some solar streetlights either as a patriotic gesture, or part of their corporate social responsibility, CSR, but this is far from being enough.
Questions may be asked as to whether the Ministry of Public Utilities traditionally saddled with the responsibility of maintaining such facilities, are still alive to their duty. In the distant past, they were usually seen maintaining such facilities.
Nigeria Newspoint urges the state government to ensure that all streets and roads in Owerri have streetlights installed, or repair the existing ones.
The Ministry of Public Utilities should be proactive in this regard.
This will no doubt help in the security of lives and property, as well as restore full nightlife in the city.
f lives and property, as well as restore full nightlife in the city