The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Cross River Command, says it recorded no fewer than 20 fire incidents in the state in 2024.
The State Commanding Officer of the Service, Mrs Olumayowa Olomola, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Olomola said that two deaths were recorded in the incidents, with five persons sustaining various degrees of injuries, while properties valued at N1.1 billion were destroyed.
She however said that the figure recorded was one of the lowest in recent years across the state.
“I am very pleased to say that the number seems to be the least we have recorded in recent times in the state.
“Even within the limit of our capacity, especially as it concerns logistics, we didn’t only respond promptly to distresses calls, we also prevented huge losses that would have been recorded to fire.
“As part of our core mandate, we have tried to sensitise the people on prevention of fire incidents.”
Olomola, however, said that the effectiveness of the fire service was being hampered by some challenges which include the command having just one fire engine at its disposal.
According to her, this can hardly take care of the need of the people, more so when the state fire service is presently grounded.
“In addition to this, we don’t have utility vehicles or even tanker, and our other appliances need servicing,” she said.
She appealed to the state government to revive its fire service to reduce the level of destruction occasioned by fire incidents in the state.
The Commanding Officer also requested for the presence of fire service in Ikom and Ogoja.
According to her, the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts of the state had a number of fire incidents in 2024, but unfortunately, there was no presence of fire stations in those areas.
She also appealed for more firefighting equipment like water tenders, water tankers and ambulance.
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