OWERRI – The Imo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, urged Gov. Hope Uzodimma of the state to direct the State Fire Service through the Commissioner for Works to wake up to its responsibilities.
The house made the call following a motion sponsored by Mr Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe), in response to a fire outbreak at Eke-Okigwe market on June 30.
Presenting the motion, Ogbunikpa highlighted the need for a functional fire service station in every local government area in the state for efficient firefighting operations in the event of fire outbreaks.
He noted that Okigwe, the senatorial headquarters of Okigwe zone, was without a functional fire service station, including borehole for supply of water and fire-fighting trucks for emergency situations.
Ogbunikpa said that the absence of this important firefighting equipment adversely affected the service of the organisation, resulting in the avoidable losses during fire outbreaks.
The lawmaker, therefore, prayed the house to urge Uzodimma to direct the commissioner for works to carry out immediate repairs of the dilapidated Okigwe fire service station to modern standard with new service trucks for efficient performance.
He also urged the governor to direct the relevant authorities to undertake total reconstruction of the market to avoid such incident in future and consider compensating the traders that lost their goods as a result of the fire outbreak.
He further urged the governor to direct the Ministry of Trade and Investment to take proper action to avoid reoccurrence of such in all markets or elsewhere in the state in the future.
In his contribution, Mr Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru) urged the house to also invite the Commissioners for Industry, Trade and Investment for interaction for ideas to remedy the situation.
Also, Mr Innoccent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli), described the Okigwe incident as pathetic, while recalling other similar incidents where the fire service failed to intervene in emergencies without justifiable reasons.
He stressed the need to maintain the existing fire service stations and reorient the staff members on the importance of their jobs as well as the need to be prepared at all times.
Following more contributions and votes in support of the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele) ruled in favour of the motion.
The house directed the clerk to convey the resolutions of the lawmakers to the office of the governor for necessary actions.(NAN)
