Service cries out, says no functional fire-fighting equipments in C'River

DG, Cross River State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr. Don Ugbe (R) with the DG, Greater Calabar Capital City Development Authority, Comrade Kingsley Ikpeme during a meeting yesterday in Calabar

The Cross River State Fire and Rescue Services have appealed to the state government to pay more attention to the needs of the agency.

The Director General of the agency, Mr. Don Ugbe made the appeal yesterday during a meeting with the Director General of the Greater Calabar Capital City Development Authority, Comrade Kingsley Ikpeme.

Ugbe who said his officers are gallant and ready to deliver on their mandate
however lamented that they are constrain due to non functional vehicles and good fire fighting equipments in the state.

He added that safety and security are key to development but regretted that while security gets adequate attention and funding, safety tend to be ignored by the key players.

While appealing to government to do more by improving their lots he added that safety is supposed to be Paramount, as when there is fire outbreak lives and properties are lost which are irreparable.

He urged the general public to be more safety conscious, relocate structures and businesses on power lines and fuel and gas stations at residential areas.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Greater Calabar City Development Authority DG urged the fire service to as a matter of urgency ensure that government offices, Business premises and all public places in the State have fire fighting equipment and proper fire protection.

Ikpeme said that "The importance of fire fighting equipment is an indispensable one to ensure maximum protection against fire, they should have fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire blankets etc in their premises".

 He expressed the agency's "total dismay at the indiscriminate erection of structures under high tensions and building of fuel and gas stations at residential areas in Calabar metropolis.
We call on citizens to support the government, to protect lives and properties by relocating such structures and businesses to forestall death resulting from electrocution, fire out break or gas explosions".

The DG "call on the fire service to organise regular training for staff of fuel/gas stations and other public offices on modalities in combating fire out break", adding that "the fire service in the State should also ensure that our motor parks, motorists have the fire extinguisher in their vehicles as well as have regular awareness campaign"

Reacting to the appeal by the Fire Service Boss, Ikpeme called on Government, religious leaders, philanthropic organizations and well to do individuals to support the fire service"

"People, banks, government etc donate vehicles to security agencies. Recently, Dangote and North West Petroleum donated  vehicles to Police and road safety but they always neglect safety. When fire engulf a place, they call on the fire service but in Cross River State, there are four trucks at the operational office yet non is functional. While government will continue to do it best, we appeal to organizations to also donate to fire service".