The Delta State House of Assembly has blamed poor fire fighting equipment, especially in the Agbor unit of the State Fire Service, for
the loss of four lives and millions of property destroyed in the state recently.
The lawmakers said the incident would have been averted but for the non-availability of fire fighting equipment.
The lawmakers’ position followed a call to that effect by the Deputy Majority Leader in the Delta State House of Assembly, Festus Okoh, during their resumed plenary.
Okoh, member representing Ika South state constituency, at the plenary presided over by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, said: “When the fire broke out on that fateful Sunday, January 5, 2025, we had to seek assistance from the Asaba unit of the State Fire Service when it was obvious that the equipment at the Agbor unit was not effective.
“You can imagine the extent of damage the fire had caused before help could arrive from Asaba. More worrisome is the fact that the recent fire incident is the third time such is happening in Agbor within the past three years.
“This, however, is not peculiar to the Agbor unit, but common to the majority of the fire service outstations in the state. To contain this, there is the need for something urgent to be done within the State Fire Service.”
The Speaker, while commiserating with Okoh and the people of Ika South state constituency over the incident, said that the Delta State House of Assembly would continue to uphold its integrity as a responsive legislature that is committed to the welfare of its constituents.
“As elected members of the House, we must continue to ensure that we remain committed to our responsibility of protecting the life and property of our constituents,” Guwor stated.
