Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday, inaugurated two new fire fighting trucks procured by the state government to strengthen the operational efficiency of the State’s Fire Service.
Each of the trucks has 7,000 litres of water, 250 foam concentrate to fight liquid fire, two suction host, wheel chair, two stretchers, breathing apparatus, six fire tunic and first aid box as well as the capacity to carry six fire men.
Inaugurating the two trucks, Okowa said the trucks were to complement the fleet of fire fighting trucks being used by the State Fire Service to combat incidents of fire outbreak in all parts of the state.
He commended the State Fire Service for their proactive efforts and prompt response time in attending to emergencies and pledged government sustained commitment towards providing basic operational tools that would stimulate their efficiency.
He said as more cities continued to emerge, there was need to prepare adequately for emergencies, even as he charged men of the State Fire Service to make good use of the fire fighting trucks.
“There is no doubt that Delta State has done very well in fighting fire outbreaks across the state and l know that we have several fire fighting stations now in the state increasing by the day for which l am very grateful to the management of the State Fire Service.
“We have had lots of interventions in the state and in some occasions, we have had to be called by sister states to intervene in their own state.
“I feel very very elated every time l speak about the Fire Service in Delta State. They have a wonderful management and their response time is something that is very encouraging.
“I have been a witness to it and several other persons have testified to this effect. I think it is something that we must continue to encourage.
“So, having two additional fire fighting trucks to join their fleet is something that we must truly be glad about. I hope that we will continue, as a state, to support them.
“It is also one very important thing that will be in our handover note to the next administration because as the city grows and as the state grows, you must prepare for emergencies such as the one that the Fire Fighting Service does engage itself in and we must find ways to encourage them.
“I am also glad that recently (just between yesterday and today), l have had to give approval to two memos that concerns the Fire Service workers both those in the lower category and those in the management and upper echelon where they are able to thrive to their best.
“I think that will add greater encouragement to what they do. I have always said in various occasions that l will find it very easy to approve any request coming from the Fire Service.
“This is because they have shown skill, they have shown commitment in their job and l just hope that every other person that works for the government works in that manner, things would have been made easy for everybody,” Okowa said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr. Johnbull Edema said the two brand new trucks were locally fabricated to meet international standard.
He thanked the governor for always providing resources for the procurement of operational equipment that had enabled the State Fire Service attend to emergencies in the state.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the State Director of Fire Service, Mr. Eugene Oziwele said the trucks have all that were needed to combat all kinds of fire incident.
Highlight of the event was a practical drill on how to use the fire fighting trucks to combat fire emergencies by men of the State Fire Service.
