Umunakwe Assures Rivers People Of Completion Of Borokiri, Rumuodomanya Fire Stations -Says Molestation Of Staff By Motorists Would No Longer Be Tolerated

Amaechi, Rivers State Gov.

By Chioma Andy

Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Dickson Umunakwe has announced that the incident of fire outbreak in the State would soon be brought down to its minimum with the inclusion of 2 Fire Stations at Borokiri and Rumuodomanya that is near completion.

The Commissioner disclosed this on Tuesday, 19th February, 2013 when briefing press men. He said that everything was ready and that the fire stations would soon kick off.

‘‘As soon as we finish procuring and refurbishing, we will send our trucks to these areas,’’ he said.

The commissioner also mentioned that the ones at Degema and Ahoada Local Government Areas were under construction and will soon be delivered as well.

He said that all these were measures been put in place to curb the persistent fire outbreaks experienced in the state within short intervals that in some cases claimed lives and properties.

When asked on how the stations would have access to water being an essential substance needed in carrying out their activities, and owing to the fact that proper and steady water availability was yet to be achieved in the state, the Commissioner replied, “Government is aware of the challenges that steady water supply poses to the Fire stations. That is why Government has begun plans to build water hydrants in different parts of the city as measures to curb the problem of water shortage during fire operations.” click on read more below to continue reading

Umunakwe also emphasised the need for serious public sensitisation so as to avoid and reduce fire incidents in the state.

He said that his Ministry had already commenced work in that regard using different means to pass the message across.

‘‘Ministry for Special Duties has already embarked on aggressive sensitization on fire safety. We are at the moment using billboards, jingles in the electronic and print media. The next step that we will take is to take the campaign on avoidance and prevention of fire outbreak and safety to schools, market places among others,” He said.

The Commissioner also pointed out that adequate training and equipping of personnel to meet up with world standards in fire fighting were in progress.

‘‘We will train our drivers, mechanics and fire fighters to meet up with world modern day fire fighting techniques,’’ Umunakwe assured.

Commenting on predictions made by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) on possible flooding this year in Niger Delta, he said, “While the State is putting mechanisms to avert the menace, Rivers State will not be adversely affected should the predictions come true.”

He however called on the people of the state to desist from acts that trigger off flood or that aids in blockage of drainage.

“The people of the State should avoid things like burning of bushes in their neighbourhoods, storing inflammable materials in their homes and blocking water canals, so as to check such disaster,” He advised.

The Commissioner also lamented on the attitude of motorists in the State who he said do not give right of way to fire trucks for easy emergency rescue operations.

“We condemn such act in its totality. And many times, many of the Fire Stations staffs are molested by hoodlums while they are trying to get people off the road. But we will not take that anymore because security personnel would be accompanying them in their fire fighting activities to put that trend in check,” he finished.