Director of Akwa Ibom State Fire Service, Mr. Ubong Umoh, has expressed regret over lack of assistance and negligence of the establishment by the Udom Emmanuel’s administration, saying “though staff salaries are being paid as at when due, this establishment has not received any support from the government of Mr. Udom Emmanuel, which is almost completing its first tenure in office.”
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, the Director further said lack of necessary equipment and staff strength has made the establishment incapacitated in tackling serious fire outbreaks in Akwa Ibom.
“Everything in this place is down, if not that I am proactive and the zeal I have for the job, this place would have totally collapsed. Everything is lacking here and because of that, staff morale is low and very poor. For instance, our hazard allowance is N50, and that cannot even buy Paracetamol. About two staff members have been maimed (one fell down from the fire truck and the other was affected by the heat of the fire) in the course of working since I came on board last year as the director, and they have not been properly treated,” Mr. Ubong said.
Speaking further, Mr. Ubong said “I have written series of letters for the upgrade of this place, all to no avail. I have evidences to that effect in a file here in case of any eventuality. Every memo that I sent out, I have a copy here. Our equipments are outdated. If we have a serious fire incidence, like fire outbreak in a petrol station, we cannot handle it. We want the government to provide us with equipment, improve staff welfare, recruit more staff and carry out staff training within the country and overseas. There is a yearly provision in the budget for these things but since I assumed office last year, I have received zero allocation for these things.”
The fire Director also stated that the establishment, for over two years, has not received the approved budgetary allocation from the present administration, adding that he had to source for funds to keep the office running.
In the case of fire outbreak, Mr. Ubong said the manpower cannot effectively tackle the situation in Uyo, maintaining that the establishment, as at present, does not respond to fire incidences outside the state capital.
“As a Director, I do not have official vehicle whereas establishment is entitled to two vehicles for its operations. My men fight fire without the necessary equipment and only rely on God for protection in the course of their duty,” he added.
The fire Director also expressed regret that efforts to make the supervising ministry, Ministry of Works, to support the establishment have been fruitless.
