RSG Moves To Compensate Mile One Market Fire Victims …Blame Firms Over Poor Response

The Rivers State Commissioner for special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe has announced that a special committee had been set up by the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to facilitate the planned assistance to the victims of the recent Mile One market fire disaster in Port Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen in his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Commissioner said the report of the Committee would be out within three weeks.
He decried the non-challant attitude demonstrated by some multinational companies operating in Rivers State in response to fire disaster management.
The commissioner said the ministry was yet to receive a commensurate level of co-operation from such companies as Shell, Total, among others, in relation to their expected Corporate social responsibilities in fire disaster management in Rivers State.
While commending the efforts of Agip and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in fire disaster response, he called on other multinationals to improve on the response and assistance in fire disaster management in the state.
The Commissioner also thanked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for donating three fire trucks and two water tankers to the Ministry.
Commenting on the activities of the ministry within the past two years, Umunakwe said the ministry recorded tremendous improvement in fire disaster management in 2013 when compared to 2012.
Comparatively, he said the sum of N10.999 billion was recorded as total loss of monetary value of property in the state, in 2012, while N1,823,327.00 was recorded in 2013.
The Commissioner also assured that the ministry was putting in place modalities to reduce the spate of fire incidences in Rivers State, adding that plans were underway to build new fire stations in some local government areas in the state.
He further hinted that officials of the ministry were being trained in modern tactics of fighting fire incidents, and called for a multi-sectoral approach towards disaster management in the state.
While thanking the Rivers State Governor for his commitment towards disaster management in the state, Umunakwe said the decision of the Ministry to withold its response to distress calls in Obio/Akpor LGA, was a precautionary measure to avert the vandalisation of government property.

Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Joeba West (right) with Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ngozi Benrimbor (middle), and Vice Chairman, Etche Local Government Council, Hon Sonye Onyesoh, during a meeting of female political office holders and wives of political office-holders in Port Harcourt, yesterday

Taneh Beemene