The Chairman of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Cross River State chapter, Mr. Pascal Kejie-Bobua, has disclosed that the association’s recent acquisition of a firefighting truck is a deliberate intervention to combat the recurrent scourge of fire outbreaks in Ikom Local Government Area.
Mr. Kejie-Bobua, who made the disclosure during a courtesy call on Governor Bassey Otu at the Governor’s Office, Leopard Road, Calabar, on Wednesday, stated that the decision was borne out of the frequent infernos that have plagued Ikom township, often leaving behind trails of destruction and misery.
“In the past decade, the commercial heartbeat of Cross River State—Ikóm—has been bedevilled by a series of fire outbreaks, leading to the loss of property worth millions of naira,” the CAN chairman lamented. “It became evident that the absence of firefighting infrastructure only compounded the tragedy.”
He recalled several incidents, notably the Ikom Main Market infernos, where traders helplessly watched their wares consumed by flames due to the lack of fire engines or emergency response equipment to mitigate the disasters.
“Anyone conversant with happenings in Ikom Local Government Area will attest to the fact that there have been several fire outbreaks in the last ten years where shops and houses were reduced to ashes,” Kejie-Bobua said. “This is why we saw the need to go for the firefighting equipment and nothing else.”
He further emphasised that each fire incident left in its wake not just material loss but deepened poverty among affected residents, many of whom had no means of recovery.
“This firefighting truck will serve as a first line of emergency response, and it is our modest contribution towards saving lives and livelihoods,” he said.
In his response, Governor Bassey Otu expressed deep appreciation for the association’s thoughtful intervention, describing it as an exemplary gesture of civic responsibility.
“I commend the Cocoa Association of Nigeria for this noble effort. It gladdens my heart to see stakeholders stepping up in service to humanity,” Governor Otu said. “Let me assure you that this administration is open to partnerships. Together, much can be achieved, for teamwork remains the surest path to success.”
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering such collaborations for the advancement of the state and the well-being of its people.
