The Rivers State government through the Commissioner for special Duties, Chief Hon. Emeka Nwogu, has summoned various stakeholders to a solution-seeking meeting on how to manage the incidence of incessant fire outbreak in the state, on Monday, April 23, 2012, at the Ministry of Justice Auditorium.
Speaking to journalists briefly after the meeting, Hon Nwogu stated that he was moved to summon the stakeholders’ meeting due to the three fire incidents that occurred within a year. He said he deemed it fit to call on every sector of the society for the meeting to find a solution in handling fire cases in the state.
Various stakeholders present in the meeting suggested various solutions on the way forward to manage fire incidents in the state.
Responding to the occasion, one of he stakeholders suggested that the Rivers state fire fighting station’s contact numbers should be increased to five due to the high demand for calls during crisis moments adding that only one provided could not accommodate the calls that are channeled through the line. He cited the case of Igwuruta fire outbreak in Obio/Akpor LGA recently.
Another stakeholder suggested the state government partnering with the various multi-national oil companies doing business in the state to provide their fire fighting trucks at will to support the efforts of the state. He stressed that this should be made a condition before contracts are issued to such multi-national oil companies.
The commissioner, keying into the suggestions of the various stakeholders stated that the state would be divided into cluster committies so as to respond quickly to fire crisis at all moments in any part of the state.
The commissioner pledged that the various committees would be made known to the public.
He said sensitization would also be carried out in all places like markets, banks, hotels, churches and schools to create awareness on how to handle the fire if it should occur, before the arrival of fire service men.
Hon. Emeka Nwogu promised to call another stakeholders meeting to involve all the LGA chairmen, House of Assembly members, Representatives and others to find lasting solution to curb fire crisis in the state.
Allanso Jonathan Allanso
