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Daberechukwu Egbo & Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

In line with the continued resolve of his administration to maintain the safety of lives and properties of his people, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, CON, has donated not less than 1,800 Fire Ball Extinguishers worth millions of naira, for distribution to all markets in Enugu to help curb and prevent fire outbreaks which are rampant during dry seasons.

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Distributing the extinguishers at the state Fire Service station on Friday, January 13, 2023, the Chief Fire Officer of Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, Engr. Okwudiri Daniel Ohaa, during his remarks emphasized that the purpose of the project was “to use the Fire Ball Extinguishers as a means to remedy fire outbreaks in the markets. Because of the damage caused by various fire incidents that have occurred in the markets over previous years, His Excellency decided to distribute fire extinguishers and prevent fire incidents and also make this project an annual project.”

Continuing, he said: “During our risk assessment which was directed by His Excellency in 2019, we observed that, most part of our markets cannot be accessed by fire trucks. If fire breaks out in the areas of our markets that cannot be accessed by fire trucks, it could cause a lot of disaster, loss and harm.

“As a result of this and in order to improve fire prevention, control and suppression in Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi generously approved the installation of different types and sizes of fire extinguishers in over 27 markets in Enugu State in 2019. This year (2023), he’s extending such gracious gesture to all major markets in the state.”

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Engr. Ohaa stated that “Enugu State Fire Service has undergone a lot of positive changes under Governor Ugwuanyi’s Administration.” 

He paid glowing tributes to Governor Ugwuanyi for recognizing and  transformimg a dormant, inactive and inoperative Enugu State Fire Service into a proactive, highly functional institution.

He recalled that the Governor had earlier donated some fire service trucks, fire brigade attires to officers, established 5 new ultra modern fire stations across the 3 senatorial zones in the state, recruited new officers thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in Enugu, sent some officers abroad to recieve fire service training according to international standards and installed solar powered borehole at Orba, Oji River, Ozalla, Udi for steady supply of water during fire service interventions. 

Thanking the chairmen and secretaries of the different markets who were present to receive their market’s share of the fire ball extinguishers, he expressed his joy and gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for “his great support and love for the citizens of Enugu state”.

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Commissioning the fire ball extinguishers, the Governor, represented by Dr. Kingsley Udeh, the state Honorable Commissioner for Rural Development, stated that the project was born out of the need to protect the lives and properties of the people.

“Our Governor will always put the people’s welfare and happiness first. This project was born out of the need to protect the lives and properties of the people, because we understand how traumatizing it can be to lose businesses, properties and lives to fire outbreaks. Some people never recover from such affliction.

“We owe the governor for his good works and we can show our appreciation and gratitude by supporting him, the PDP governorship candidate and his running mate and all other candidates of the party he is a member of”, Udeh said.

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Lauding the Governor’s uncommon desire for fire safety, the South East Vice President and Chairlady, Ogige Market, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Ozioko, said “I have never seen anything like this, this is the first time a fire station is being built in Ogige Market, we’re very grateful to our governor”. 

Others who spoke at the event included the President General, Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association (ESMATA), Cheif Stephen Aniagu, the Chairman of Nsukka Zonal Amalgamated Traders Association, Hon. Dr. Dominic Ezema, the President of Enugu State Market Women Association, Hon. Mrs. Esther Ede and the Chief Security Officer, Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, Engr. Justice Kasie Ezebinagu.

Some of the benefiting markets in the first project are; Ogbete Main Market; Timber Shade, Maryland; Ogige Market, Nsukka; Orba International Market; Kenyatta Market, Uwani-Enugu; Afor-Awkunanaw, Gariki-Awkunanaw; Timber Shade, Abakpa; Abakpa Market; New Market; Tinkers Motor Spare Parts, Coal Camp; New Haven Market; Old Artisan Market, Ogui; Eke-Obinagu, Emene; Afor-Opi; Obollo-Afor Market; Nkwo Ogbede, Igbo-Etiti; and Ikpa Market, Nsukka.

Others include Timber Shade, Nsukka; Nkwo Ibegwa; Eke-ozzi; Eke-Agbani, Nkanu West; Afor- Ugbawka, Nkanu East; 9th Mile Market, Ngwo; Nkwo Inyi, Oji-River; Orba Timber Shed; Timber Shed, Obollo Afor; Eha Amaufu Market; Nkwo Ikem Market; Eke Aku Market, Igbo- Etiti; Motor Spare Market (Site), Nsukka; Wonderful Market, Oji River; Orie Nenwe Market, Aninri, Afor Okpanku Market, Aninri; etc.