Yuletide: Ikpeazu assures residents of peace, as Govt directs markets to install overhead water tanks against fire outbreaks

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that this Christmas period would be defined by peace and security, saying that government has put in place measures to deal with any form of criminality across the State.  

This is also as the state government urged market associations’ chairmen to install overhead water tanks to ease the battle against fire outbreaks.

According to Ikpeazu, in his Christmas message to people of the state, all relevant security agencies were on red alert to nip in the bud, any plan to disrupt the peace, security and stability in the State during the yuletide period and even beyond.

The message, endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, said that “the Governor however tasks everyone to take security of lives and property around them seriously.”

Using the opportunity to thank God for granting Abians and residents in the state the privilege of being alive to witness the 2021 Christmas celebration, urged Abians to celebrate the season with a full understanding of its significance in the life of the average Christian.

“The birth of Christ, according to the Governor, is about the most important event in Christianity, since it was the beginning of the redemption of mankind,” the message read in part.

The Governor said he released N3.2 billion to offset arrears owed workers and pensioners in the state to enable them to participate in the 2021 Christmas celebrations.  

“Governor Ikpeazu assures the people of Abia State that his administration has taken critical steps to ensure that our people are able to take part in the celebrations through the release of about 3.5 Billion Naira to deal with the issue of salaries of some ailing parastatals and pensioners, maintaining that the mainstream civil servants have continued to be up to date in receiving their salaries.

 “The Governor assures the State work force of the determination of his administration to continue to mainstream the issue of welfare of workers in the State,” the message added.

On his determination to complete ongoing projects, Ikpeazu said contractors have been mobilized to site while more road projects would be done in 2022.

 “The Governor further assures that contractors have been mobilized to resume work on major road projects, especially in Aba, promising Abians that the current dry season window will be fully utilized for massive rehabilitation of key roads.  

“According to the Governor, the first quarter of 2022 will witness a massive turn around in roads and other critical infrastructure, and thanked the people for their patience so far.

 “He also assures traders at Ariaria and Ngwa Road Markets that government is working very hard to ensure that rebuilding process of the markets is sped up as much as possible. He also announced that his administration has set aside funds which will go to the affected traders directly to the tune of 150 Million Naira as a form of assistance to those traders whose businesses have been affected by the reconstruction of the markets,” the message revealed.

 “It added that “the Governor prays the Almighty God to grant the people of Abia State a peaceful celebrations this yuletide season.”

Meanwhile, following the fire accident at the Uratta Industrial Market, in Aba, Abia Government has directed all chairmen of markets in the state to immediately install overhead water tanks in their various markets to enable easy access to water for fire trucks when needed.

The government also advised the market leaders and traders to put in place, measures that would help forestall fire outbreaks in all markets in the state, especially during this harmattan season.

Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief Okiyi Kalu, gave the directive at a meeting he held with men of the fire service and market leaders in his office in Umuahia Friday where the Management of the State Fire Service assured of its preparedness to fight fire outbreaks in the state, including markets.

An early morning inferno on Thursday gutted the Uratta Industrial (Timber) Market in Aba, razing about 50 shops and destroying goods worth millions of naira.

In a proactive step to prevent future occurrence of fire incidents, Okiyi convened the meeting where he charged market leaders in the state to install overhead water tanks to enable firefighters to access water when necessary.

The Commissioner also charged those in charge of security in the markets to be vigilant and carry out strict inspection of all liquids being brought into the markets to ensure that substances which could be used to trigger fire outbreak by arsonists were not allowed into the markets.

Lamenting the Uratta fire outbreak, Okiyi noted that traders and their dependants are exposed to the devastating effects of such incidents.

“The Uratta Market fire is a painful occurrence not just for the traders but also those dependent on them. The Governor has directed that we adopt measures to forestall future occurrence even as Government is committed to putting an end to incidents of fire outbreak in our markets,” he said.

 “When you have a market in flames, the effect can be devastating; it will not only affect traders but also their dependents. Governor Ikpeazu, as a leader who does not play with the welfare of Abians, particularly traders, will not spare anyone who fails to do his job in that regard.

“The biggest protection is to collectively protect ourselves. All market leaders must live up to expectation and protect their markets as government is also committed to assisting to prevent and control fire outbreaks in our markets,” the Commissioner said.  

Okiyi assured the Abia State Fire Service and traders that the state government was committed to equipping the state fire fighting agency through provision of necessary tools to enable the agency carry out its onerous task efficiently during this season and beyond.

In his speech during the meeting, the Acting State Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Arua Nnanna, assured traders that his agency was well equipped and prepared to combat any fire outbreak in the state, especially in the markets.

The fire fighting agency said it was ready to quench any fire outbreak, “including high-hazard flammable, non-flammable and hydrocarbon fire” during this harmattan season because the Okezie Ikpeazu administration has equipped the agency well.

Arua who said the Service was ready to work with stakeholders to prevent and combat fire outbreaks during this harmattan period and beyond, however, called on the traders to put preventive measures in place to forestall such fire outbreaks.

“We are calling on the traders to create sanitary lanes in their various markets to enable free and easy movement within the markets, clear bushes which can trigger fire outbreaks within and around the markets, create and designate zones in the markets for different products, prohibit cooking and smoking in the markets, provide water supply in the markets to enable easy access to water supply for fire trucks when needed,” Arua said, noting that if the measures he enumerated were adhered to, they would help prevent escalation during  fire outbreaks.

Arua urged the public to contact the agency whenever there was any fire outbreak through the following lines: 07038656651 (Headquarter), 08038872490 (Aba), 08039344832 (Umuahia), 08084474912 (Aba), 08030771250 (Federal Fire Service, Umuahia).

The meeting had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Chief Sir Michael Égwu, the Director of Commerce, Elder Mecha Udensi and market association Chairmen  in the state.