Edo State emergency services received a boost on Wednesday when Governor Godwin Obaseki took delivery of an additional ultra-modern industrial-sized fire truck from the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC).
The governor, who spoke to journalists after test-driving the truck, at the Government House in Benin City, said the state government is committed to reviving and strengthening its fire service.
He said the state has recruited and is training more firemen with the support of the Federal Fire Service to enhance their capacity for first responder services.
Obaseki noted, “Today, we have received an ultra-modern fire truck donated by the NPDC. We have ordered two fire trucks of our own, which will be delivered before the end of March 2022. With these three fire trucks, we will have enough equipment of our own to fight fire, no matter the scale.
“More importantly, we are re-training our firemen and NPDC has gladly accepted to provide additional training aside from the provision of a fire truck. We have 38 men in service and will make sure that we send them on advanced fire-fighting training.
“Our focus is to get the Federal Fire Service to join and support the state’s efforts in enlightenment and advocacy to prepare the citizens to join in response in case of any fire incident.”
He continued: “We would have three brand new industrial-sized fire trucks and will follow it up with re-training the human capacity to respond to accidents when it occurs. The most important issue is to rebuild the organisation, rebuild the confidence of the firemen, and create the incentives for them to come to work, as well as make them feel cherished and appreciated.”
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Ifueko Alufokhai, said the state was delighted to receive the truck from NPDC.
According to her, “We are delighted. Before now, we all knew what was going on in the state regarding fire, and we are also aware that NPDC is a partner to the Edo State Government.
“This is a laudable thing they’ve done, and as I said, we are looking to work with them on other things. They are going to start the training of our state fire service personnel on how to use the truck.”
On his part, the Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Ali Zarah, who was represented by the Executive Director, Services, Mr. Hamza Umar, assured that the company will continue to partner with the Edo State Government to ensure that the state is safe.
In his contribution, the Deputy Manager, Fire and Safety, NPDC, Mr. Emmanuel Nnaji, said the company is set to commence a five-day training for Edo State Fire Service personnel, which is centred on the use and maintenance of the truck.
