RISING CASES OF FIRE OUTBREAK IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THE URGENT NEED TO CREATE AWARENESS ON FIRE SAFETY CULTURE AND MITIGATION MEASURES IN BAYELSA STATE (HON FELIX E. BONNY AYAH – SOUTHERN IJAW CONSTITUENCY I)
Aware that in recent time, fire incidents have been on the increase resulting in the destruction and loss of properties and lives in Yenagoa and other parts of the State.
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Concerned that fire safety culture and awareness in mitigating its destructive effects has been a thing of great neglect in most public and private buildings (both commercial and residential) in Yenagoa and its metropolis.
Mr. Speaker and my dear Colleagues, several illegal practices such as bush burning, use of unrefined petroleum products, poor electrical system etc. have resulted in sudden fire outbreak in recent times leading to loss of properties worth millions of naira.
Worried that despite the incessant cases of fire incidents witnessed in the State, and considering the magnitude of damage and effects, most public and private buildings/residences in Yenagoa and the State at large lack firefighting equipment and even few fire extinguishers and other equipment installed are either expired or non-functional for use during emergency situations.
Recalled that in January this year fire gutted a section of the popular Swali Market, destroying items worth millions of naira, as efforts to get the fire fighters combat the inferno proved unsuccessful.
Also, similar fire outbreak was witnessed last year July 2019 when fire razed a section of Radio Bayelsa, which led to the destruction and loss of vital communication equipment, furniture and several confidential documents.
Another striking fire incident occurred early last year at the residence of our Colleague, Hon. (Chief) Mitema Obordor, which burnt a section of his flat and led to the destruction of some properties.
Mr. Speaker, according to reports of eye witnesses, if not for the quick intervention by neighbours and the mercy of God, the damage would have been enormous.
Recalled further that, in January 2020 another incident of fire outbreak was recorded in some shops close to the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, where several items worth millions of naira were destroyed as the University had neither fire bay nor fighting equipment and personnel to contain the spread of the fire.
In like manner, Federal University Otuoke, in August 2019 recorded a fire outbreak, which caused a great damage on properties worth million of naira.
Note that this menace of fire outbreak is a recurring factor and cannot be completely eradicated but measures can be put in place to tackle emergency situation of fire outbreak and reduce the extent of damage before the arrival of fire fighters.
Considering the extent of damage and loss caused by fire outbreaks in the State; proactive measures need to be taken to mitigate possible effects of persistent fire incidents in the State.
In the light of the above, I therefore urge this Honourable House to Resolve as follows:
1. That the State Government should take measures to ensure that all major government establishments, Local Government Areas, higher institutions and major cities across the State establish fire units with trained personnel to fight and reduce the spread and effects of fire outbreak.
2. That the State Government in conjunction with relevant authorities engage the State Fire Service to organize a state wide training and sensitization programme on how to fight fire during emergency fire outbreak.
3. That the State Government should come up with a policy statement to make it mandatory for every major private/public building (either residential or commercial) to install fire fighting equipment.
4. That the State Fire Service office which is located at Obele, is distant from other parts of the State Capital. Therefore, sub-fire stations be established at designated areas such as: Biogbolo, Agudama-Epie and Yenizue-Epie in order to get quick response to reduce the effect of possible damage caused by the menace.
I so move.
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