The State Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudili Ohaa, reveals that the secret behind the success recorded by his agency in this direction is the thorough revitalization and equipping of his agency with modern fighting trucks and other gadgets by the administration led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as the in-service training the government is providing to the agency's staff.
In accordance with contemporary firefighting practises, Engr. Ohaa said that his organisation has acquired a fresh supply of a total of One Thousand Eight Hundred (1,800) Fire ball extinguishers, which will be dispersed throughout Enugu state's key markets.
Prior to the arrival of Fire Service Trucks equipped with further fire fighting equipment in those markets, the fire ball extinguishers will function as urgent palliatives in the event of any fire.
His words: "As one of the proactive steps for fighting fire breakouts, fire prevention, control, and suppression in Enugu state during this dry/harmattan season and beyond, the governor of Enugu State has ordered the construction of a new fire station." Dr. Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has generously donated fire extinguishers worth millions of Nigerian naira to be given to all markets in the state beginning today.
"The fire ball extinguishers will serve as a palliative in the event of a market fire outbreak." During our 2019 risk assessment of markets in Enugu state, as mandated by His Excellency, we found that the majority of our markets are inaccessible to fire engines due to obstructions and lack of access. If our markets experience a fire without the essential preventative measures in place. It could lead to a catastrophic situation,' said the chief fire officer of Enugu state.
Engr Ohaa remembered that on January 3, 2020 and October 16, 2022, fire outbreaks at Ogbete Main market in Enugu were prevented by the traders' effective use of fire extinguishers, which would have resulted in significant loss of goods and life.
Similar calamities were averted at Orba International market, Udenu local government area, Timber shed Nsukka, Afor Awkunaw, etc., thanks to the effective usage of the fire extinguishers donated by Governor Ugwuanyi and installed in those markets.
The Enugu state commissioner for rural development, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, who observed the distribution of fire ball extinguishers to market representatives, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for revitalising the state fire department and continually updating them with contemporary fire fighting equipment.
He defined fire disasters as extremely hazardous, having significant emotional, economic, and societal effects on victims, their immediate family, and the nation as a whole. He recommended the merchants to use the free fire ball extinguishers provided by Governor Ugwuanyi with extreme caution.
The chairman of Ogbete Main Market in Enugu, Chief Ikemba, responded on behalf of the various market leaders by praising Governor Ugwuanyi for the gesture and recalling that his administration's "Raffle draw" initiative has lifted many poor traders in the state out of abject poverty.
In corroboration, the chairperson of the South East Traders Association, Chief Mrs. Amaka Ozioko, stated that Enugu state traders will reciprocate Governor Ugwuanyi's goodwill by voting for the continuation of the PDP-led administration in Enugu state, with the expectation that his successor will maintain the same cordial and beneficent relationship with traders in the state.
In a subsequent interview with newsmen, the state chief fire officer, Engr Ohaa, revealed that 43 markets in Enugu state will receive free fireball extinguishers thanks to the generosity of Governor Ugwuanyi. According to him, the situation has improved since 27 markets were favoured in the previous exercise.
He urged the Enugu State National MPs to incorporate firefighting into their constituency projects. As a means of preventing fire disasters in Enugu State, this would involve supplying the state fire service with the means to train and equip its members in the fundamentals of preventing and controlling fire outbreaks.
(Source: authorityngr.com)
