Rivers Lost N2bn To Fire – RSG

The Rivers State Government, says the state lost N2 billion worth of properties to fire incidents between 2010 and 2011.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dame Mina Benebo who said this during the closing ceremony of the fire safety and preventions seminar organised by the ministry for ministries, agencies and parastatals in Port Harcourt said that eight lives were lost within the period under review.

She said that it was in a bid to check this that the ministry decided to organise the workshop and stated that the situation would be extended to other members of the society.

According to her, market women and other members of the public would be involved in the sensitisation programme which kicks off next year, and stressed the need for members of the public to exercise caution in the handling of inflammable materials.

In his lecture entitled, ‘Fire Prevention in Offices,’ Mr Golden Elenga warned against the storage of petrol in offices, while all faulty electrical appliances in offices must always be replaced.

He also stressed the need for all appliances to always be switched off when not in use while offices must be kept clean.

Also speaking, Mr S. I. Amadi said that the fire service department must always be reached for assistance during emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dame Mina Benebo said that the state government was on top of the recent boat mishap in Mgbuodohia community, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

In an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Dame Benebo said that the ministry had commenced a search for more bodies of victims of the incident. She also said that recommendations would be made to the government on ways of checking future occurrence.