The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Dodeye Ikpi Arikpo, has commended personnel of the Cross River State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, and Airport Fire Service for their dedication to duty and swift response to fire incidents across the state.
The Commissioner gave the commendation on Tuesday during an engagement with personnel of the three services at the Ministry’s headquarters in Calabar.
Arikpo acknowledged the critical role of the Fire Service in protecting lives and property, particularly through timely intervention during fire emergencies.
“I appreciate your commitment, sacrifices and professionalism in the discharge of your duties. Your work directly saves lives and property, and government recognises that,” Arikpo said.
The Commissioner further directed the three fire services to establish a coordinated response mechanism for major emergencies, stressing the need for greater collaboration among the agencies to minimise response time and prevent avoidable loss of lives and property.
He assured the personnel that attention would be given to their concerns, particularly those relating to training and the maintenance of firefighting equipment, noting that adequate preparation and functional equipment are essential for effective emergency response.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting personnel, Mr. Ufuoma Omene of the Airport Fire Service congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and expressed optimism about his leadership at the Ministry.
He also commended Governor Bassey Otu for his continued commitment to the welfare and development of Cross Riverians.
Omene, however, highlighted some of the challenges confronting the Fire Service, including the need for regular training of personnel and the repair and maintenance of water tankers, fire trucks and other firefighting equipment.
He explained that the Airport Fire Service faces challenges in responding to emergencies outside the airport, as personnel are required to obtain authorisation from the appropriate higher authority before leaving the airport due to existing operational protocols.
He appealed to the State Government to institute quarterly training programmes to improve the capacity of personnel and ensure regular maintenance of firefighting equipment.
Omene also called for legislation to strengthen and empower the Fire Service to effectively carry out its responsibilities and enforce fire-safety regulations in churches, hotels, offices and homes.
Also speaking, Mr. Williams Nenbarenem of the Federal Fire Service appealed for the prompt provision of firefighting foam in Calabar, diesel to support the smooth operation of firefighting vehicles, and regular monthly maintenance of firefighting equipment.
Responding to the requests, Commissioner Arikpo assured the personnel that necessary action would be taken to convey the firefighting foam to Calabar, noting the importance of adequate resources for effective emergency response.
By Gift Otudor
