The Cross River State Fire Service Command, has set a new agenda in the state towards curbing fire outbreak and other related fire issues across the state.
Addressing a cross section of fire officers in the state, the Acting Director, Mr. Otugbo Okedim thanked the personnel at the meeting held at the state headquarters of the Fire Services, Marian Hill, Calabar. He called for unity and cooperation amongst the personnel as their services require total and undivided attention. Speaking further, Otugbo stated that the agency is doing so much but very little is seen which makes it difficult for masses to understand the thrust of their duties.
Expressing his sadness over the repeated incidences of fire outbreak in Marian Market, Esuk Utan Tank Farms and other areas susceptible to fire outbreak in the state in recent times, he stated that it was high time to address the situation for good as so many businesses have suffered and means of livelihood affected by the reoccurring decimals.
According to him, the meeting with the personnel has afforded him the opportunity to rub minds with them on how to strategize ahead. He further stated that, the agency is set to change the narrative in Marian, Esuk Utan and other hot spots, and to up the game in inculcating the values of preventive approach to curb fire outbreaks.
“By upping our game, the era of sitting down to collect salaries are over as we will ensure that the awareness of preventive approaches goes to even the hinterlands where incessant bush burning is prevalent”.
“The awareness of preventive approaches are not limited to households, markets, and industrial layouts but to others areas including vehicle operations, schools, churches etc”.
“We will create an inter-agency synergy and further strengthened it through continuous engagement on fire related matters”, he concluded.
The Commander used the opportunity to call for reports and challenges across the LGAs which he said will help the State Command towards reinventing ideas and taking signature opportunities to deepen engagement in all fire related issues across the state, as Unit Heads were advised to come up with proposal for the year capturing quarterly execution taking into account the roles of all stakeholders. The Director describes the current operation in the Command as our administration and not his administration.
The position of the Director, Cross River State Fire Service agrees with the Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s “People First Mantra”, which puts the people first and also commands productivity from all sector of the state. The prompt responses by the administration towards addressing issues of public concern calls for synergy from all sectors and demands efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. Hence, all sectors must give a good account of themselves in all that is expected of them, not necessarily in revenue generation as not all agencies are saddled with such responsibility.
Highpoint of the meeting was the photo session which followed the brainstorming session on resolving pending issues affecting the Command.