Rivers Commissioner Frowns At Attack On Firefighter

 

.... Pledges continuous synergy with Federal Fire Service.

Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Ndubuisi Okere, has expressed displeasure over the attack on firefighters and the vandalisation of their equipment by certain elements in the state, warning that henceforth such evil will not be condoned and perpetrators will be made to face the law.

Hon. Okere who made gave the warning in his office while playing host to the commandant of Federal Fire Services in the state, said the government will not fold its arms to see enemies of the state take laws into their hands.

The Special Duties Commissioner said that firefighting is an overwhelming assignment, and that though the state fire service is combat ready at all times to fight fire in the state, the government still cherish the robust support and synergy from the Federal firefighters, saying that in a cosmopolitan city like Port Harcourt, only one fire unit may not be adequate to handle the incidences that may arise.

Hon. Okere enjoined the firefighters to take advantage of the massively built roads and flyovers in the state to hasten their movements to scenes of fire outbreak, whenever they received such calls, promising to relay their request for more robust synergy and assistance to the state Governor, who he is hopeful will come to their aid.

Earlier, in his remarks, the state commandant of Federal Fire Service, DCF Abdul A. Alfa, said he was in the office of the commissioner to introduce himself to him, and to thank the government of the state for synergy and understanding they have been sharing over the period, calling on the state government to support the Federal Fire outfit in the State.

The commandant, however, said that he is not happy with some motorists in the state who usually refused to give right of way to firefighting trucks that are on emergency movement, by blaring at their sirens, rushing to go and save lives and property.

Commandant Alfa said between January and November, 2022, his men have helped to fight 131 fire cases in the state, with about N2. 3 billion to victims, admonishing that residents and witnesses to fire incidences should help firemen to see how such fire can be put out, rather than attacking the firemen and vandalizing their equipment.

The commandant pledged the readiness and willingness of his men to tackle every fire case in the state.