By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — THE Lagos State Government, Wednesday, warned those who remove manhole covers to  desist from such action or face the law.

General Manager of LASIMRA, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the warning became necessary following rising cases of theft of manhole covers, which constitutes threats to lives and property in the state.

He noted that cables such as fibre optic and copper owned by Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Nigerian Telecommunication Limited, NITEL and other telecom operators had long been laid underground across the country, with connecting points for easy access.

Joe said the access points, which are located by the roadsides, were covered with metal objects, known as manhole covers, through which operators gain access to their cables underground, for purposes of maintenance and routine checks.

He regretted that miscreants remove the manhole covers illegally and in most cases, steal the cables or create avenues for others to steal cables and sabotage efforts of telecom operators that own the cables.