Makurdi Residents disgruntled over Fire Service
We have logistics problems: Fire Service
Fighting Fire
Eric Adah
The issue of fire outbreak in homes and markets has continued to generate concerns from members of the public especially to residents of Makurdi who spoke to THE TRANSMITTER.
In the past years, the Makurdi Modern Market and Gboko markets suffered setbacks due to fire outbreaks with goods worth millions of naira destroyed. This has rendered many persons jobless and has caused untold hardship to scores of families.
Some people maimed for life, others have died untimely. According to the Benue State Fire Service, in the year 2019 alone, more than 100 houses and business ventures were lost to fire disaster worth billions of naira.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Ministry of Science and Technology, Sekaa Akaa died in an inferno that consumed his house, alongside his wife and two children, at the Kwararafa Quarters, Makurdi. This house is located a few buildings away from the State Fire Service Headquarters.
These incidents have caused concern to residents who made their case to THE TRANSMITTER. David Tyonenge of Brewery Settlement, Gboko Road Makurdi he is a victim of fire disaster. He said his house started burning a few minutes after 10.P.M while they were sleeping on a fateful day: “I wake up and discovered fire in the sitting room and I wake my wife up; we then rushed to the children’s room and managed to take them out through the Escape Door. The fire caught up with my legs. We came out but nobody could help as no one in the neighbourhood had the contact of the Fire Services. They tried to quench the fire but these efforts did not yield any results. The Police Patrol Team later got there and called the Fire Service but before their arrival, two hours later, the fire had engulfed the entire building. We lost every property, including academic credentials.”
Tyonenge, however blamed the Fire Service inefficiency on lack of funding by government and poor publicity of the Service to the general public. He said where there is inadequate staff and poor sensitization not much will be achieved. He lamented that fire disaster is something one cannot even wish for his enemy.
Eze Okafor, another Makurdi resident said the fire fighters always do their best to respond to distress calls. He said he owns two shops in Makurdi Modern Market: “when the market caught fire there was nothing we could do than to rely on the help of Fire Service. They came and prevented the fire from escalating to other lines in the market. He called on the government to provide logistics and more personnel for the Fire Service.
Okafor who lived in Makurdi for 32 years said the town developed in size with expansion in human and vehicular population. With this situation, it would be right to station the firefighters at strategic positions to respond swiftly to emergencies.
An ICT Expert, Segun Taiwo said it is regrettable that in this 21st century, Nigeria has not adopted modern technology in the aspect of customizing phone numbers for emergency response. It is high time a single emergency number codified to patch with the appropriate agency for robbery, fire, health and other emergencies as done in western countries.
For the State Fire Service, Ikyaaza Wakwagh said they are trying their best to reshape the Department of Fire Service in spite of the numerous challenges. He said he has sent a memo to the Permanent Secretary who is the overall in charge of the Department informing him of these challenges. Most of the fire service vehicles have broken down, this has made the operations difficult, Wakwagh said.
Another challenge, Wawkagh said is that of staff: “the Department of State Fire Service is understaffed. The Director however, expressed displeasure over the incessant fire disaster on houses and business premises as he recalled the sad story of the Akaa family.
On their part, the Federal Fire Service is new in Makurdi and environs. Therefore, conscious efforts geared towards Public awareness campaigns on fire safety. The Deputy Commandant of the Service said all houses, especially public ones are supposed to undergo safety test with the fire service before approval. But that it is unfortunate, no house private or public has passed this test so far.
While fire disaster has continued to consume homes, offices and markets, it is regrettable that developers have not started considering fire safety. People spend wealth on security and beautification with no priority for fire safety. This culture must change to minimize stories that touch.
Numbers to call during fire emergencies are 08032003557 for national coverage and 09077777061 for Benue State Command.
