..Distributes to 43 markets.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
In the past seven years, the rate of fire incidences in Enugu state that would have resulted in serious economic disasters,have been adequately curtailed by the State fire service, an agency under the state ministry of rural development.
The State Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudili Ohaa reveals that the secret behind the success recorded by his agency in this direction is thorough revilitalisation and equipping of his agency with modern fighting trucks and other gadgets by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led administration, in addition to in -service training the government is offering to members of staff of the agency.
In keeping with modern trends of fire fighting, Engr. Ohaa disclosed that his agency has received a fresh supply of a total of One thousand, eight hundred (1,800),Fire ball extinguishers , to be distributed among major markets in Enugu state.
The fire ball extinguishers will serve as immediate palliatives at any point in time there is any fire incidence before the arrival of Fire Service Trucks with other fire fighting equipments in those markets.
His words, ‘As one of the proactive measures of fiighting fire outbreaks,fire prevention,control and suppression in Enugu state this dry/harmattan season and beyond, Governor of Enugu state. Rt Hon (Dr) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has graciously donated fire ball extinguishers worth millions of naira to be distributed to all markets in the state starting today’.
‘The fire ball exthjnguishers will act as palliative in case of any fire outbreak in the markets. Obstructions and accessibility in our markets is a major challenge during our risk accessment of markets in Enugu state as directed by His Excellency in 2019, We observed that most parts of our markets cannot be accessed by fire trucks. If fire occurs in our markets without necessary palliative measures in place. it could lead to a high disastrous situation’, the Enugu State Chief Fire Officer stated.
Engr Ohaa recalled that the efficient application of Fire Extinguishers by the traders halted fire outbreaks that would have resulted to great loss of wares and lives at Ogbete Main market Enugu on January 3.2020 and October 16,2022.Just as the same ugly fate was curtailed at Orba International market, Udenu local government area,Timber shed Nsukka, Afor Awkunanaw, etc, through effective use of the Fire extinguishers, provided by Governor Ugwuanyi and mounted in those markets.
The Enugu state commissioner for rural development, Dr Kingsley Udeh, who witnessed the distribution of the fire ball extinguishers to the benefitting market representatives, expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for revitalising the state fire service and always updating them with modern tools in fire fighting.
He described fire disaster as very dangerous with emotional, economic and social negative consequences on victims, his or her immediate family and the nation generally. He advised the traders to trade with caution in usage of the fire ball extinguishers which are freely provided by Governor Ugwuanyi.
Responding on behalf of the various markets representatives, the chairman of Ogbete Main Market Enugu, Chief Ikemba. commended Governor Ugwuanyi for the gesture, recalling that the initiative of ‘Raffle draw’ introduced by his administration has lifted many poor traders in the state out of abject poverty.
The chairperson,South East Traders Association, Chief Mrs Amaka Ozioko,in corroboration said the Enugu state traders will reciprocate Governor Ugwuanyi,s gestures by voting for a continuity of PDP led administration in Enugu state, in expectation that his successor will maintain same cordial and welfarist relationshipwith traders in the state.
In a chat with news men thereafter, the state chief fire office, Engr Ohaa explained that a total of 43 markets in Enugu state will benefit from Governor Ugwuanyi,s largesse of free fire ball extinguishers, this time around. He said it is an improvement since 27 markets were favoured in the last exercise.
He called on the National legislators from Enugu state to inculcate fire fighting as part of their constituency project. By so doing, providing logistics for the state fire service to train and equip their constituents on the basic rudiments to prevent and control incidences of fire break. as a measure of curtailing fire disasters in Enugu state.
End.
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