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Tag: Rivers secretariat

  • Fire outbreak will fast-track plan to rehabilitate Rivers secretariat – Fubara

    Fire outbreak will fast-track plan to rehabilitate Rivers secretariat – Fubara

    Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the recent fire incident at a section of the state secretariat in Port Harcourt will accelerate his administration’s plans to rehabilitate the complex.

    Fubara, who visited the site on Tuesday to assess the extent of the damage, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that it affected an area that served as a crèche for the babies of civil servants.

    According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the fire partly destroyed the section of the building but was quickly contained.

    The governor was received at the Secretariat Complex by a large crowd of civil servants, the Head of Service, and several permanent secretaries, including the newly sworn-in Mr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart.

    Fubara expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost, noting that the damage was confined to a small portion of the facility.

    “I came here this morning to see for myself what happened yesterday. It’s really unfortunate, but we give God all the glory that no life was lost and the damage was only in one section,” he said.

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    The governor explained that the incident would serve as a wake-up call to fast-track the planned renovation and refurbishing of the Secretariat Complex, which had been under consideration by his administration.

    He said, “We’ve been talking about the renovation of our foremost secretariat. With this particular incident, there should be no further delay. Whatever is required by this government to commence that process, we will immediately swing into action.”

    Fubara commended the State Fire Service firefighters for their prompt response, noting that previous investments made by his administration in the three fire service stations proved invaluable in containing the situation.

    “Before the emergency rule, we took our time to invest in the fire service. I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t have a formidable and functional fire service,” he said

    He also appreciated civil servants for their dedication, resilience and continued support, reiterating his administration’s commitment to initiatives that will enhance their welfare and promote the well-being of all Rivers people.

    “We’ll continue to do those things that will uplift Rivers people and make them happy,” the governie said.

  • Fire destroys properties in Rivers secretariat

    Fire destroys properties in Rivers secretariat

    Fire had engulfed a section of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt destroying some property.

    It was gathered that the inferno started at the ground floor of one of the tall buildings popularly called the Podium after the close of work and spread to the office of the newly constituted Rivers State Pension Board.

    Sources said the fire started at about 4pm and was reportedly caused by an electrical fault, though there was no casualty.

    Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information, Dr Honour Sirawoo, confirmed the incident saying fire fighters intervened immediately to stop the inferno.

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    Sirawoo said:  “It was at the Podium Block of the State Secretariat, on the right side where the fire started from. But we are fortunate to have the State and the Federal Fire Service would intervened and did what they know best to arrest the situation.

    The State Head of Service, Dr Inyinge Brown, confirmed that no life was lost saying she was happy that the recently rehabilitated State Fire Service was on ground to quench the fire.

    She said: “We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block and we immediately made calls to the River State Fire Service and they responded promptly.

    “We also called other partners of the state, such as the Renaissance, Federal Fire Service and the military who promptly sent their fire trucks.  It’s a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained.

    “We thank God, and we thank His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the Fire Service, this situation would have been worse”.

    She added: “We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplug to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them.”