Facts have emerged that the Onitsha South Local Government area chairman, Anambra state, Chief Emeka Orji, procured fire fighting machine (vehicle), following the incessant fire outbreaks in the area that always cost the victims their properties and sometimes their lives.
Explaining further, he stated that during such fire outbreak there will be distress calls for prompt assistance from fire service stations both from far and near and they will end up not coming immediately.
“That is why I said my people will not continue to cry by procuring this machine and the Chief Fire Officer in Anambra State, Engr. Chiketa Chukwudi Emmanuel, has okayed the fire fighting machine efficacy during the test running exercise of the machine.
Speaking during the test running of the machine, the fire fighting boss who was flanked by the Onitsha Main Market Fire Officer, ACFS Anyaegbuna Onyechi, lauded the council mayor, Chief Emeka Orji for the procurement to protect lives and property of the people and urged majors in other local Government areas to emulate Orji.
According to 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 of Onitsha South Local Government area, Chief Orji.
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 encouragement situation to curtail the menace of fire incidents in Anambra State especially at this harmathan season to save lives of Ndi Anambra, Ndigbo and others.
“Whenever there is fire outbreak you can’t quantify the loss. Because of our continued campaign it has helped to reduce fire incidents.
If you are cookng with gas cylinder, don’t use phone, ensure you switch off all electrical appliances when you want to go out”, he advised.
Contributing, the council secretary, Paul Onuachala, said, “I thank God that there was no incidence of fire outbreak last December to January this year.
This interaction is to thank God, in gratitude 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.
“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
“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 tepography of the area. We are now battle ready for any fire outbreak in our area and environs,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Commander of Agunechemba in the council area, Hon. Eche Ezeonyejekwe, described the machine as very fantastic, adding that it is one of the good things the council chairman brought to the people that will retain indelible in the area
“Formerly, we would call firefighters from Asaba and other places to come and help us but now we have gotten our own.
Any fire incidence now we are reachable, the people said they have not seen this type of good thing before, God will keep the chairman for us, he carries interest of the people 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 and it is easier for Fegge coverage while those at the local Government Secretariat will easily cover Odoakpu area,” he stated.
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