In a stern rebuke against the rising tide of vandalism plaguing public institutions, the Rivers State House of Assembly has condemned the brazen looting and destruction of facilities at Township School in Port Harcourt, warning that such acts could severely hamper educational activities and instill fear among students and staff.
During its 30th legislative sitting on Friday, the Assembly, moved by a motion from the member representing Asari Toru Constituency 2, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, decried the criminal damage inflicted by unidentified vandals on the school’s classrooms, windows, doors, ceiling fans, generators, learning aids, and other essential properties.
Hon. George, in presenting the motion, urged the House to compel the Ministry of Education, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, the Rivers State Police Command, and community leaders to launch an immediate investigation, arrest the culprits, and ensure their prosecution to deter future occurrences.
Lawmakers who spoke during the debate expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting its potential to disrupt academic sessions and create an atmosphere of insecurity in the school environment.
They described the vandalism as a “wicked act” that undermines the state’s efforts to provide quality education.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, lambasted the vandals for their “nefarious and primitive” behavior, questioning how such destruction could occur in the heart of Port Harcourt without swift intervention.
“It is baffling that a school in the metropolis could be targeted in this manner without apprehension,” he said.
Amaewhule directed the House Committee on Education to visit the site and submit a report at the next sitting, emphasizing the need to safeguard educational infrastructure amid growing concerns over insecurity in public schools.
The Assembly’s focus on the issue underscores broader worries about the vulnerability of educational facilities in Rivers State, where vandalism has increasingly threatened learning environments and deterred investments in public education.
In other proceedings, the House passed the second reading of the Rivers State Climate Change Bill, with Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol leading the debate and stressing its importance in aligning the state with global environmental standards.
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The Speaker committed the bill to the House Committee on Environment, mandating a public hearing and a report within three weeks.
Additionally, Amaewhule referred three petitions—including one against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over oil spillage and fire outbreaks in Degema Local Government, and another against APP Companies for alleged mistreatment of drivers—to the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions for investigation.
The Assembly’s actions come as stakeholders call for stronger measures to protect educational assets and promote uninterrupted learning in the state.
