January 11, (THEWILL) – Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works and Fire Service Prof Eno Ibanga says the state Fire service needs a total overhaul to be properly positioned to fight fire emergencies in the state.
The commissioner made the observation in an interactive session with some Correspondents in Uyo, saying that the state Fire Service has been in comatose over the years and vowed to revamp the service in line with modern fire fighting operations.
He said the overhaul will involve recruitment of staff and procurement of state of the Art Fire Fighting Equipment .
“Recently we discovered that almost all the personnel in the state Fire Service have retired leaving only a small size of workforce to handle fire emergencies in the state.”
“Technically, equipment in the fire service have become obsolete and need replacement to fight fire outbreak in the state.
“I am planning to bring resource persons for intensive training of Fire Men in the state . I would do it at appropriate time .” he said
When journalists visited the state Fire Service Office along Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo, only few staff were seen on duty, while there was only one functional Fire Truck to attend to Fire Emergencies in the state.
One of the staff who pleaded anonymity said many staff in the state Fire Service have retired while equipment at their disposal is not enough to tackle fire emergencies in the state.
“It is unfortunate that almost 80 percent of our staff here have retired and the government could not recruit new ones to fill existing vacancies here.
“Even with the only equipment here, we don’t have consumables to use. This consumables are chemicals such as F-F-F, Foam chemicals and other detergent needed in our operations.
“Really the state Fire Service needs total revamp in terms of manpower and equipment to meet fire emergencies.”
He therefore requested the Commissioner for Works to come to their aid and reposition the state fire service for effective service delivery.
About the Author
