The Benue State House of Assembly has extended an invitation to the Commandant of the State Fire Service to appear before its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
This call is aimed at seeking an explanation for the service’s perceived subpar performance during incidents involving fire outbreaks.
Speaker Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh urged the assembly to establish a committee responsible for delving into the reasons behind the Fire Service’s failure to meet public expectations.
Abraham Jabi, the representative for Buruku State Constituency, put forth a motion that led to this invitation. Jabi highlighted the Fire Service’s inability to promptly respond to fire emergencies.
Jabi’s motion detailed an incident on July 24, 2023, where a fire ignited in the residence of Samuel Tough within the Makurdi metropolis. Despite numerous distress calls for the state fire brigade’s assistance, no intervention was provided.
The motion further revealed that a house on Daniel Shinyi Street, opposite Hallyday’s Hotels in Makurdi, was engulfed in flames due to an electrical fault, yet the state firefighters ignored all pleas for help. The assembly expressed concerns about the potential risks faced by residents if this worrisome trend persisted.
Jabi disclosed that the victim had to personally visit the fire service office for aid, only to be informed that the service lacked the necessary resources, including water, tires, and gas for operational purposes.
In light of these issues, Jabi urged the assembly to summon the commandant for an explanation regarding the service’s inability to fulfill its duties promptly. The speaker also advocated for the establishment of a committee to scrutinize the reasons behind the Fire Service’s underperformance.
Douglas Akya (Makurdi South/APC), seconding the motion, voiced strong support for its objectives. He emphasized that although funds are allocated annually for the fire service, it consistently falls short in executing its responsibilities.
In a unanimous decision, the assembly approved Jabi’s proposals and referred the matter to the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further investigation.
