Inferno: We will upgrade fire stations across Ondo

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday said his administration is making efforts to upgrade fire stations across the state.

This is part of efforts by the Akeredolu-led administration to tackle and minimize fire incidents that lead to loss of lives and prosperity.

Akeredolu stated this at the inauguration of a new multi-million naira fire-fighting truck, donated to Ondo State by the Federal Government, in Akure, the state capital.

Akeredolu pointed out that the fire stations would be well equipped adding that fire officers deployed to those stations would be well motivated.

He commended the facilitators of the fire fighting truck to the state, the Managing Director of the ZL Global Alliance, Dr Abiola Bashorun, for the roles played in getting the truck to the state.

The governor said, “We are working hard and putting strategy in place to ensure all the fire stations are put in good shape within the shortest period of time to respond to emergencies as and when necessary.

” To achieve this, it is our plan to acquire new Rapid Intervention Vehicles that convert water to vapour and can manoeuvre through narrow lanes and rough terrains for use by our firefighters.”

In a remark, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the Federal Government had been working towards upgrading of Federal Fire Service for optimum performance in fire fighting .

The minister who disclosed that over 2000 fire incidents had occured across the country in the 2020, said the federal fire service had been able to save 724 lives while assets worth over N1trillion were saved from being destroyed by fire by the fire service.

He said he was in the state to sensitise the people on the danger of fire.

According to the minister, the fire was a good servant and dangerous master, warning the people to be careful of fire while handling items, particularly electrical appliances during the ongoing dry season.

He said, ” We are working towards upgrading the fire fighting services but our people must be careful and preventive against fire incidents . Because this is the most dangerous part of the year.”

The minister expressed optimism that another fire fighting truck would be donated to the state in the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the collaboration between the state and his ministry.

The facilitator, Dr Abiola Bashorun said the fire fighting truck was a state-of-the-art equipment that would help the state in saving lives and properties of the citizens from being destroyed by fire .