By Leonard Okachie
The Comptroller, Abia State Fire Service, Mr Victor Gbaruko, said the fire service station at Amaekpu, Ohafia, when completed, would help in tackling incidences of fire in the state.
Gbaruko said this during the foundation-laying of the Abia North Fire Service Station at Amaekpu on Saturday.
He expressed optimism that the project would not only assist his men in fighting fire, but would also boost the number of personnel in the state.
According to Gbaruko, Abia has the lowest number of fire service personnel in the country.
He appealed to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to assist the outfit in recruiting more capable hands to enable the service to function optimally.
He thanked the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, for attracting the project to the community.
Also, the Deputy Governor, Chief Oko Chukwu, said the station would bring succour to the people of Abia North Senatorial District.
Chukwu applauded Uchendu, who is representing Ohafia South constituency, for doing so much for his people, and described him as a “true representative.”
He assured the deputy speaker of the government’s continuous support to sustain his complementary support to the governor in providing basic infrastructure at the grassroots.
“The Deputy Speaker decided that the best way to celebrate my birthday is to rekindle hope in the lives of Abia North citizens by laying a foundation stone for the construction of the Abia North Fire Service.
“I want to tell you my very dear brother, this is one of the best ways to celebrate my birthday,” the deputy governor, who marked his birthday on Saturday, said.
Earlier, Uchendu said he embarked on the project because of its importance in fighting fire in the zone.
He said that apart from the Fire Service Stations at Aba and Umuahia, which serve the Abia south and central, Abia north had no such facility.
He said the situation prompted his motion on the floor of the house for a fire service station in Abia North.
He thanked the governor for his promise to donate a fire fighting truck to the station once the project was completed. (NAN)
