BY ANDREW IKEHI
WORRIED by the recurrent fire incidents in parts of the State, particularly Agbor in Ika South local government area of the State, the State legislature is seeking improved firefighting equipment for the State Fire Service in the area.
The lawmakers’ position is coming following a call to that effect by the member representing Ika South State Constituency and Deputy Majority Leader in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Okoh during resumed plenary by the State legislators.
Hon. Okoh at the resumed plenary presided over by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, under Personal Explanation, noted that the fire incident that claimed no fewer than four lives and millions of property destroyed, would have been averted but for the poor firefighting equipment in the Agbor unit of the State Fire Service.
According to the lawmaker, “when the fire broke out on that fateful Sunday, January 5, 2025, we had to seek assistance from the Asaba unit of the State fire Service when it was obvious that the equipment at the Agbor unit was not effective.
“You can imagine the extent of damage the fire had caused before help could arrive from Asaba.
“More worrisome is the fact that the recent fire incident is the third time such is happening in Agbor within the past three years.
“This, however, is not particular with the Agbor unit, but Majority of the fire Service outstations in the State. To contain this, there is the need for something urgent to be done within the State Fire Service” Hon. Okoh said.
Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, while commiserating with Hon. Okoh and the people of Ika South state Constituency over the incident, said that the State House of Assembly would continue to uphold its integrity as responsive legislature that is committed to the welfare of its constituents.
“As elected members of the House, we must continue to ensure that we remain committed to our responsibility of protecting the life and property of our constituents” Guwor said.
Meanwhile, the Lawmakers, our correspondent reports, observed a minute silence for victims of the fire incident.
