The Imo state government has approved an office space for the federal government to build fire service zonal headquarters.
The State Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona stated that this shows the state’s preparedness to partner the Federal Government and its institutions to enhance the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He stated this while receiving the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Dr. Ibrahim Liman, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.
Irona, who represented Governor Emeka Ihedioha at the event, commended the Federal Government, for approving the creation of a new zone of the Federal Fire Service, Zone J, and for considering Imo State as Headquarters of the zone.
“I commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for Interior, for approving the creation of zone J and for making Imo State the host of the zone. I commend the leadership of the Federal Fire Service, under the watch of Dr. Ibrahim Liman, for procuring new fire fighting trucks for Imo State”, Irona said.
The Deputy Governor assured his guests of a cordial working relationship that will endure, between the Federal Government, its agencies and institutions and the government of Imo State.
“We are through with politics. It is time for governance. We, therefore, extend our hand of fellowship to you”, Iron said.
Reacting to a demand from the Federal Fire Service for land to erect a Secretariat for the newly created zone, the Deputy Governor assured them of the willingness of the state government to provide a befitting land for same, even as he approved a temporary Secretariat for the immediate take-off of the zonal head office in the state.
“We came in three months and a few days ago and inundated with a plethora of issues concerning land allocation and acquisition in Imo. His Excellency, the Governor considered it necessary to set up a Judicial panel of Inquiry, to look into land allocation in the state.
I assure you that as soon as the Panel submits its report and the state takes proper inventory, the state will provide suitable land for your zonal headquarters. On the temporary site, we shall provide suitable accommodation for immediate take-off.”
Earlier, in a three-page address, Dr. Liman described his visit to the state as “homecoming”, even as he described his Imo-born Deputy Controller General, Engr. Quintus Azogu, as “a worthy Ambassador of the state”.
Earlier, in a three-page address, Dr. Liman described his visit to the state as “homecoming”, even as he described his Imo-born Deputy Controller General, Engr. Quintus Azogu, as “a worthy Ambassador of the state”.
He commended the state Government for her giant strides within 100 days in office, particularly, in addressing issues of safety and security in the state.
“Your Excellency, I am here to inform you that the Ministry of Interior, under the headship of Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the establishment of a Federal Fire Service Zonal Headquarters in Owerri, Imo State. Owerri is the Headquarters of Zone J and comprises of Imo and Abia states. A letter to that effect was communicated to you earlier. For a start, two State of the Art modern fire fighting trucks and a significant number of firefighters are being deployed for the take-off of the new zone”, Liman said.
He used the occasion to ask for allocation of land space for the construction of the new Federal Fire Service Zonal Headquarters in Owerri, allocation of office space to be used for the take-off of the Zonal Headquarters, the inclusion of the Federal Fire Service in the state security council, among others.
Highlights of the visit were the inspection of some newly-procured firefighting equipment, special demonstrations by men of the Federal Fire Service, among others.
