Akwa Ibom State Government Starves State Fire Service of Funds.
- Amid escalating fire disasters.
- Victim;Usen Nkamare speaks of loss of 10million naira worth of furniture to fire.
- In 2022 alone, over 33 fire incidences have occurred in Uyo Metropolis.
- Udom Emmanuel-led administration for the past 7 years has not priotized Fire safety and response.
- Throughout 2015 -2017, there has been Zero Releases for capital Projectsfor the Fire service.
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Digging into AkwaIbom’s budget for 7 years (2015-2017), Inspiration FM’s senior correspondent, IMA DEM establishes that there is a noticeablepattern in the budget for the state Fire Service’s capital projects. For the 7 year period, facilities, Fire fighting equipment and gears were consistently budgeted for, a facility like the Water hydrant and Elevated Project resurfaces every year.
In spite of how critical the water hydrant is to the functionality of the Fire agency, there hasn’t been release of funds for it.
There is an obvious need to improve the state of the Fire Service in Akwa Ibom considering that without the presence of the Federal Fire Service, the situation would have been more dire.
AkwaIbom’s state Fire Service Public Relations Officer, EMMANUEL UDOFIA says 99% of Fire outbreaks in Uyo are tackled with the Federal Fire service doing most of the work because they have more capacity.
Despite the capacity shown by the Federal Fire Service, Mrs Ofonmbuk Nelson, the parastatal’s Commandant and 2IC in AkwaIbom says their operations are hampered due to the lack of a Water Hydrant for refilling of the water tank.
Other Items that appear on the budget are rehabilitation of the State Fire Service headquarters, equipping of Fire stations in Eket, Ibeno, Itu, Etinan, Abak, Ikot Ekpene and other Local Government areas, repair of old engines amongst other projects.
A visit to the Fire Headquarters will give you the creeps, as there is a reflection of outright neglect of this very important Government establishment saddled with the responsibility of responding to fire emergencies and other disasters in AkwaIbom.
Do take a Listen to the report 👇
AKS FIRE SERVICE SPECIAL REPORT DEC 20
AMID FIRE EMERGENCIES, AKWA IBOM GOVERNMENT STARVES FIRE SERVICE OF FUNDS!
Akwa Ibom State Government Speaks on Stance on OBA’s Case with EFCC
The official position of the Akwa Ibom State Government on the allegations that Governor Udom Emmanuel instigated and influenced the outcome of the judgement against Young Progressive Party candidate, Obong Bassey Albert, as published my the Commisioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Emembobng
INEC Decries Low PVC Collection in Anambra
The Independent National Electoral Commission in Anambra State, has raised concerns about 132,623 Permanent Voter Cards which are yet to be claimed in the 21 local government areas of the state.
The Resident electoral commissioner, Queen Agwu, stated this on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Awka, Anambra State.
She added that the commission would open its offices on Saturdays and Sundays, urging voters who have not collected their PVCs to go and pick their PVCs, while the new batch of PVCs from the recent voter registration exercise was still being expected.
She said the commission has equally relocated six local government areas collation centres in the state over insecurity. Agwu listed the local government areas where the relocation of collation centres took place as Ihiala, Nnewi South, Onitsha North, Orumba North, Awka North and Awka South.
The REC said the collation of PVCs had been extended to Saturdays and Sundays in Anambra State, adding that they needed enough security to carry out their function.
Agwu assured that 2023 general elections would be free, fair and credible, not only in Anambra State, but the entire country.
The figures at each of the 21 local government areas not collated as announced by INEC, were as follows: Ayamelum -1,960, Dunukofia -6,222, Idemili South -4’589.
Others were,l Anaocha -885, Orumba South -6,656, Onithsa South -12,274, Idemili North -16,256, Aguata -12675, Njikoka -7,009, Ogbaru -10,755 and Anambra East -7,717;
Nnewi South -1,841, Awka North -1,153, Anambra West -1,387, Orumba North -2,393, Oyi -7,982, Onitsha North -9,990, Ihiala -4,058, Nnewi North -8,700, Ekwusigo -3,350 and Awka South -4,971.
