● Tonye Okurumo
••• Inspects Rehabilitation Works On Three Stations
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has lamented the neglect of the State-owned Fire Service Stations for over 12 years but assured that the ongoing rehabilitation work on the facilities will be completed and ready for public use by the first week of March 2025.
Governor Fubara made this pledge during an inspection tour of the three Fire Service Stations undergoing remodelling, expansion, and reconstruction on Monday, January 27, 2025. This was disclosed in a statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor.
The Governor inspected the Fire Service Stations located beside the Isaac Boro Park/Mile One flyover, Borokiri in the old Port Harcourt Township, and Rumuodomaya Community. These facilities are situated across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
Speaking during the inspection, Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of restoring the Fire Service Stations to ensure quick and effective responses to fire emergencies in the state. “For a very long time, we have had this situation that we have to depend on the multi-nationals; Shell, Agip, Chevron, and even TotalEnergies at that time, to respond to fire incidents in the State,” he said.
Governor Fubara (middle); listening to an explanation by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya (left); while former Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja (right); looks on during the inspection of progress of work on the State Fire Service Station at Isaac Boro Park in Mile One, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Monday
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of the ongoing construction and commended the contractor’s commitment to meeting the set deadline. He declared, “From what we have seen today, we can confirm that the contractor is working very hard to meet the deadline. We must, I repeat, we must commission this project first week in March.”
Governor Fubara reiterated the government’s responsibility to provide critical social services, including firefighting infrastructure, to protect lives and property. He stressed that the administration is committed to reversing the years of neglect that these facilities had suffered.
“As a matter of fact, I can boldly say that Rivers State has not had a functional Fire Service for the past 12 years,” he stated. “We are a government, and amongst our responsibilities, is to protect lives and property. Issues of fire incidents could be as a result of some mistakes in our homes.”
The Governor further noted the importance of building self-reliance in fire response capabilities. “So, it is our duty to make sure that we are prepared to combat it whenever it occurs. We are trying to make sure that we do not depend again on the multi-nationals but be ready and prepared to save lives and property of Rivers people,” he added.
Governor Fubara assured residents that his administration is prioritizing projects that will improve the quality of life and enhance the safety of Rivers people. “We are reversing the utter neglect such social services had suffered, and ensuring that Rivers people will, in no distant future, begin to benefit from these Fire Service Stations,” he remarked.
The inspection tour also saw the presence of notable officials, including Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, a former Commissioner for Water Resources, who accompanied the Governor.
Dr. Samuel Anya, the Commissioner for Special Duties, conducted the Governor and his team around the facilities, providing updates on the progress of the rehabilitation work. The Governor’s visit highlighted his administration’s determination to deliver on its promise of functional Fire Service Stations in Rivers State. GMTNewsng
