Dan Opara
The Director of Imo State Fire Service, Chief Jaffect P.C.Okereafor, was on Wed.5th Feb.2020, at his Owerri/Okigwe Road State Office Complex, told some cross section newsmen who stormed him that his Command in the State, is ever poised, ready and passionate to always serve lives and properties of the people as trained fire fighters.
“As a humanitarian service workers, we are very much concern to save lives and properties of the general public especially as it concerns quick and responses to the calls of those in distress, danger and challenges”,the State Director noted.
Chief Okereafor, while speaking, lamented on the ineffective and inefficient support of the govt.and those well-meaning Imolites who have failed to show the command any kind of assistance, which according to the Director remains the major set in the improvement of the operations of the Imo State Fire Service.
The Director,Okereafor, who narrated series of challenges mitigating their breakthrough in fire fighting in the State accused the govt.of abandonment and negligence for over 12 years, but called on the govt.of the day in Imo State to empower, assist and equip them to carry out their obligations and duties promptly.
He however called on the govt.to open employment embargo for his service, disclosed that about 150 personnels were engaged to the service in the state, but now, only 45 persons are working as official staff.
” We are suppose to have over 200 workers from across the 27 LGA’s of the state, but it is unfortunate that about 45 persons are working.Which is too bad and not encouraging”, Okereafor revealed.
On the recent fire outbreak at Orlu INEC, the Imo State Director expressed worry and condenmed those who puts the blame of Fire Service, noted that they are very much ready and always available to render services, though fire fighting is very hazardous that need effective and efficiency in carrying out such activities.
Chief Okereafor, in furtherance,recalled that the immediate past govt.led by Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has approved the recruitment of about 125 persons into the service before the Supreme Court judgement, but appealed to Gov.Hope Uzodinma to implement the recruitment.
He therefore called on all the well-to-do Imolites both home and abroad to assist the humanitarian services of the fire service in Imo State, even as he enjoined all and sundry to support fire fighters to do exploit in Imo State.
