Electrical Fault Sparks Fire at Rivers State Secretariat Complex
A devastating fire broke out at the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt on Monday evening, destroying some offices and property.
The fire, which reportedly started at the ground floor of the Podium Block after office hours, affected part of the nine-storey building. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded, and the swift response of firefighters from the Rivers State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, Renaissance, and the military helped contain the blaze.
According to the State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs) Inyinge Brown, the fire was caused by an electrical fault. She explained that the prompt intervention of the firefighters prevented the situation from getting out of hand. “We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block, and we immediately made calls to the River State Fire Service, and they responded promptly,” she said.
The Rivers State Government has assured that rehabilitation works on the affected sections of the secretariat will commence promptly. Dr. Brown thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his proactive approach in rehabilitating the Fire Service, saying that without this investment, the situation would have been worse. “We thank God, and we thank His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the Fire Service, this situation would have been worse,” she stated.
The incident comes about a week after Governor Fubara dissolved the Rivers State Pensions Board, whose office, located nearby, escaped the fire. While there is no official link between the board’s dissolution and the fire, the timing has sparked public speculation about whether the incident was accidental or an attempt to destroy crucial documents. The police and state authorities are expected to carry out a full investigation to uncover the true cause of the fire.
Dr. Brown urged civil servants to take extra safety precautions by switching off and unplugging all electrical appliances before leaving the office to prevent future incidents. “We urge all civil servants to take responsibility for their safety. Turn off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplugging to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she advised.
The State Chairman of the Civil Service Union, Comrade Chukukah Osumah, has expressed fears that the incident may not be disconnected from an act of sabotage, given the timing and nature of the incident. He noted that the ground floor of the affected building accommodates the audit and pension units, which has raised suspicions about the potential motives behind the fire.
The Rivers State Government has assured the public that the affected sections of the secretariat will be refurbished soon. The government has also promised to work with the relevant agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the state government has urged the public to remain calm and to cooperate with the authorities.
