Minister Commissions Regional Fire Force in Sierra Leone
The Minister of Internal Affairs of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) led government Hon. Joseph B. Dauda has formally commissioned the Regional Fire Force Station in the eastern headquarter city of Kenema. (Photo: Ministers and AIG)
Speaking at the commissioning of the regional fire brigade at their newly constructed compound at Reservation Road, Kenema on the 10th May 2013, the Internal Affairs Minister Joseph B. Dauda expressed happiness for gracing the occasion and delivering the keynote address. He said Kenema city is growing to the standard of a modern city and that it needs fire force station.
The Hon. Minister stated that Kenema has suffered quite too long from fire disasters but that with the commissioning of the fire station in the regional city that problem will now be something of the past. He said that he has a special passion for the development of Kenema city, adding that he will continue to be part of any development, and will strive for the city, and the region at large.
Hon. Dauda used that platform to inform the people that he will be meeting with the contactor building the Kenema City Hall.
NFF testing fire engine
Contributing at the occasion, the Chief Fire Officer Nazir Ahmad Alie Kamanda Bongay said fire insecurity does not only impoverish the population but it also destroys the intellectual, cultural, material, physical, psychological and social assets of the people. The Chief Fire Officer maintained that in 2003 the government of Sierra Leone entered into contracts for the construction of three regional fire stations in Kenema, Makeni and Bo cities and also in 2010 the present government entered into agreement with Kadmishiller Company in Turkey for the supply of a fire engine. He said the fire engine itself arrived later in 2012, adding the fire engine is a multi-purpose engine with tank capacity of ten thousand litreds (10,000 ltr), one thousand litre (1,000) foam. The Chief Fire Officer disclosed that the multi-purpose engine is able to fight with water and foam simultaneously and independently. He said within four years of the contract Bo and Makeni stations were completed and commissioned but that Kenema Brigade was under construction for relatively a long time. Mr. Bongay furthered that the reason was that initial site Teusor was changed to the present location which caused serious financial implication that eventually delayed the work.
Talking about the achievements of fire brigade in the city prior to commissioning of the station he said his officials were able to score several successes. Chief Bongay intimated that on 9th, 26th November they were able to put off fire outbreak in St Paul’s Cathedral and #10 Dama road, 5th December and 29 December 2012 Tomgbobu and Bo-Kenema high way and 20 other places in the city from 2012 – 26th March 2013. He said from statistics recorded his office has observed that the rate of fire incidences in the city is on the increase and that in response to that they have a special section established to sensitize the public on fire prevention. The Chief fire officer also said though it has not headed much dividend but that they are calling on public intervention into the public education.
Constrains he said the station is not fully equipped with fire appliances in the event of outbreak of fire accident in two or more places, mobility, refill of the engine, lack of manpower and funds for public education among others are the debilitating factors.
The Resident Minister East Hon. Williams Juana Smith in his chairman opening remarks said the day was historic in the history of the city and Sierra Leone. He praised government for equipping the fire brigade in the city, adding that this is first time the city are having a fire force station. The Minister indicated that few years back fire ravaged the maternity ward of the hospital which he termed as very unfortunate. He also cited several fire incidences in the city and that with the rapid growth of the city government has thought necessary to provide fire engine to put stop of fire accidents in the city. Other speakers included Paramount chief Vangahun, Provincial Secretary George Banya, Mayor Kenema City J. S. Kefala and others
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2013, https:. All rights reserved.
