Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has embarked on a comprehensive revamp of the state fire service, which had been abandoned for over a decade.
Governor Fubara, who recently inspected three major fire service stations undergoing reconstruction across the state, expressed his determination to end the state’s reliance on multinationals for fire outbreak responses.
The inspected facilities, including the Mile 1 (Abali Park) Fire Service Station, Rumuodumaya Fire Service Sub-Station, and Borokiri Fire Service Sub-Station, are slated for commissioning in the first week of March 2025.
According to the Governor, “For over 12 years, Rivers State has lacked a functional fire service. We have relied on multinationals to tackle fire incidents, but this is unacceptable for a government charged with protecting lives and property.”
He emphasised that the revamped fire service would ensure a rapid and effective response to emergencies, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to disaster management.
To strengthen firefighting capabilities across the state, Governor Fubara has procured state-of-the-art firefighting trucks.
Four of these advanced trucks have already arrived, with more on the way. These trucks will be distributed across all fire service stations to guarantee a swift and effective response to emergencies.
The revamp of the fire service is expected to enhance the state’s emergency response capabilities, protecting lives and property, and promoting a safer and more secure environment for residents and businesses.
He added, “We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our citizens. The revamp of the fire service is a critical step in achieving this goal,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Our responsibility as a government is to safeguard our people. Fire incidents can be natural or accidental, but we must be prepared to combat them. These facilities and the fire trucks will equip us to handle emergencies without relying on external support,” he added.
Governor Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and assured Rivers people that the facilities and necessary equipment would be ready by the promised deadline.
“The contractors are working tirelessly, and from what we’ve seen today, we are on track. By the first week of March 2025, these fire stations will be fully operational,” he said confidently.
