Emma Elekwa
Chief Fire Officer in Anambra State, Chiketa Chukwudi Emanuel has certified the efficacy of new fire fighting machine procured by Onitsha South Local Government area to assist in curbing incidence of fire outbreak in the area.
Speaking during the test running of the machine, the fire-fighting boss lauded the Council chairman, Emeka Orji for the procurement to protect lives and property of the people, urging other Chairmen to emulate him.
“The machine has not been finally handed over to us, we are still in the process, we came for the test running and inspection of the fire service station built by the Mayor.
“So we have to do our report and other things will follow. It is not done in a day. We have not gotten the holes, fireman axe, ladder, among others.
“But I must commend the mayor, Orji, my prayer is that God will continue to keep him and his executives for this fire machine they brought to the people to save lives and property.
“I encourage other mayors in other local Government areas to emulate Emeka Orji, it is an encouraging situation to curtail the menace of fire incidents in the State especially at this harmattan season to save lives of Ndi Anambra, Ndigbo and others.
Unquantifiable loss
“Whenever there is fire outbreak you can’t quantify the loss. Our sustained campaign has helped to reduce fire incidents.
“If you are cooking with gas cylinder don’t use phone, ensure you switch off all electrical appliances when you want to go out”, he advised.
Responding council chairman, Emeka Orji, expressed satisfaction with the procurement of the machine adding that the council has the primary responsibility to protect lives and property of the residents.
“I thank God that there was no incidence of fire outbreak last December to January this year.
“This interaction is to express our gratitude to God that there was no incidents of fire outbreak unlike before when we will be calling for assistance and asking fire fighters from far and wide to come to our rescue,” he said.
Orji who spoke through his Secretary, Paul Onuachala, said, “Now we have gotten our own fire fighting machine.
“We requested for technical assistance – human and materials from Ministry of Power and Mineral Resources and the Ministry sent the Chief Fire Officer of the state and his team.
Standard machine
“This is a standard machine tested on the ground of procurement in Abuja and the site of the fire service station also cost us a lot of money because of the topography of the area.
“We are now battle ready for any fire outbreak in our area and environs,” he stated.
Also speaking, Commander of Agunechemba in the area, Eche Ezeonyejekwe, described the machine as very fantastic.
He added that it is one of the good things the council chairman brought to the people that will retain indelible in the area.
“Formerly, we will be calling fire fighters from Asaba and other places to come and help us but now we have gotten our own. Any fire incidence we are reachable.
“The people said they have not seen this type of good thing before, God will keep the chairman for us because he carries people’s interest at heart more than his own.
“As for security of the machine, I have divided my boys into two groups, one at the fire station which is easier for Fegge coverage while those at the local Government Secretariat will easily cover Odoakpu area,” he stated.
