Rivers State; another time bomb waiting to explode!

• …as Wike abandons State Owned fire Stations

Just like the biblical account of the submergence of the earth by flood water, during the days of Noah, the circumstances that led to the death of mankind due to disregard for warnings issued about an impending flood, which later consumed them, Residents of Rivers State are staring at a similar scenario.

With the commencement of the rainy season, residents in some communities in Rivers State, have cried out for urgent action.

Speaking to Africa Update correspondent, these citizens have lamented the recent floods that ravaged the state including the city centre, leading to loss of lives and valuable assets, worth billions of Naira.

This development according to them, is reportedly due to lack of planning and proactive stance of the state government, reiterating that the flood was caused by blocked drainages, creeks and ongoing road construction in the State.

They accused the Wike led state government of not heeding to warnings issued by experts of an impending flood, stating that the effect would have been less if proactive measures were put in place to avert this catastrophe.

They further expressed their fears of a more sinister tragedy, which might befall the state, during the dry season, disclosing that the poor state of the state owned fire Stations lacked the capacity to extinguish any inferno and wondered what the fate of innocent citizens would be during the dry season.

A visit to the Fire Service Station, situated at the Isaac Boro Park, in Port Harcourt, by Africa Update, revealed startling facts, of a structure that is in dire need of reconstruction, fire trucks that were damaged and nonfunctional, while the few that were functional, were obsolete and required maintenance, fire fighters were without personal protective gears and other firefighting apparatus. The workforce lacked motivation.

Some fire and safety experts who spoke with Africa Update, stated that the safety standard in Rivers State is a contrast to standard global practice.  The issue of firefighting according to them, is taken seriously globally and they expressed regrets that Rivers State Government has neglected such an important component of governance.

Citing the recent fire outbreak on June 14, which led to the death of about 80 people, in the United Kingdom and the subsequent resignation of the Kensignton and Chelsea Council Leader, Niick Paget-Brown and his deputy, Rock Feilding-Mellen, following the Grenfell Tower incident, they warned that a worse calamity awaits Rivers State if an emergency is not declared in the fire and safety sector.

Stressing that the leaders took responsibility for the outbreak that destroyed 151 homes , both in the tower and surrounding homes , without second thoughts, because life is precious.

They condemned recent decisions of the State Government to construct an Ecumenical Centre, Nigeria Bar Association Secretariat, Renovation of the judicial complex and construction of courts, construction of Judges quarters, the construction of a peace park and construction of the Secretariat of the Traditional Rulers Council ( which coincidentally is the next building beside the dilapidated fire Station) .

They frowned at the construction of projects that do not impact on the innocent tax payers, and advised the State Governor to embark on projects that address the needs of the masses other than settlement of a particular group of loyalists.