The Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, has called for the urgent establishment of a Fire Service Outstation in Ohuhu, following the recent fire outbreak at Akagod Fuel Station within the constituency.
Akaliro made the call while presenting a Motion of Urgent Public Importance on the floor of the Abia State House of Assembly, drawing the attention of lawmakers to the dangers posed by the absence of a functional fire service facility in the Ohuhu axis and the wider Umuahia North area.
The lawmaker explained that the motion was prompted by the fire incident that occurred at Akagod Fuel Station when a petroleum tanker reportedly caught fire while discharging its contents, triggering a massive inferno that engulfed the facility and threatened lives, businesses and properties in the surrounding community.
According to him, the incident exposed the vulnerability of residents and business owners to fire disasters, particularly in a rapidly growing commercial environment where several fuel stations and business establishments operate without the immediate presence of emergency response infrastructure.
Akaliro disclosed that upon receiving information about the fire outbreak, he immediately contacted the Abia State Fire Service, whose personnel responded swiftly and professionally to contain the inferno. He commended the officers and men of the service for their courage, dedication and prompt intervention, noting that their timely response prevented what could have resulted in a catastrophic loss of lives and extensive destruction of property.
The lawmaker, however, expressed concern that emergency responses in Umuahia North currently depend largely on fire service stations located far from the affected communities, a situation he said could hamper rapid intervention during future emergencies. He warned that delays in responding to fire incidents could have devastating consequences, especially in densely populated areas with increasing commercial activities.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Ohuhu, Akaliro observed that the area has witnessed significant population growth and commercial expansion in recent years. He stressed that the presence of multiple fuel stations, markets and business premises makes the establishment of a dedicated fire service outstation not only necessary but urgent for the protection of lives and property.
He argued that a fire service outstation within Ohuhu would significantly improve emergency response times, strengthen disaster preparedness and enhance public safety across Umuahia North State Constituency and adjoining communities.
As part of the resolutions of the motion, the Abia State House of Assembly commended the Abia State Fire Service for its prompt response and professionalism in bringing the Akagod Fuel Station fire under control. The House also urged the Executive Arm of Government, under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, to, as a matter of urgency, establish a Fire Service Outstation in Ohuhu to provide rapid response to fire emergencies and related disasters.
Furthermore, the House mandated its relevant Committees on Homeland Security, Emergency Management and Public Safety to engage with the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Abia State Fire Service with a view to facilitating the establishment and operationalisation of the proposed outstation.
The Assembly also called on the government to provide adequate firefighting equipment, emergency vehicles and personnel to ensure effective protection of lives and property in Umuahia North and neighbouring communities.
Concluding his presentation, Akaliro noted that while the Akagod Fuel Station incident was successfully contained through the prompt intervention of firefighters, future emergencies may not always end with such favourable outcomes. He therefore urged proactive measures to be taken to avert potential tragedies, insisting that the establishment of a fire service outstation in Ohuhu would represent a critical investment in public safety, disaster management and the overall wellbeing of residents across the constituency.
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