By Sadeeq Muhammad Umar
The Kebbi State Governor Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi, Commissioned a new ultra- modern Fire Fighting Vehicle provided by the Federal Government.
The governor expressed optimism that the new vehicle will strengthen the protection and safety of lives, as well as property of the people of the state.
It was also a double elation as the Kebbi State Command of the Federal Fire Service formally took off in Birnin Kebbi, same day .
Speaking at the epoch-making event , Bagudu said : “I am highly elated today, as we got these glad tidings , from the Federal Government, courtesy of the Federal Fire Service Department .
“I must certainly appreciate this invaluable gesture and show my unlimited happiness, as the Federal Government chose Kebbi State as one of the beneficiaries of this noble gesture.”
Bagudu, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu (Jarman Kabi ), lauded President Muhammadu Buhari,the Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola and the Comptroller General of Federal Fire Service, Dr Liman Alhaji Ibrahim for the gesture .
The Kebbi State Governor also noted that, the new vehicle and the take off of the department in the State, will bolster the protection and safety of lives, as well as property of the people of the state .
Bagudu further vowed that , the vehicle will be judiciously utilized and routinely maintained .
He also promised to look into the demads of the new office , especially constructing a new office for the department and the provision of other accessories, as well as logistics to the federal fire service.
The Governor said , ” the vehicle and several others belonging to the State command of the fire service, will help in curbing the menace of fire incidents .
” this vehicle cannot come at a better time than now when the harmatan season was on ,” Bagudu, said.
The Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service,Dr Ibrahim Liman, described Kebbi State as the home of myriad of notable personalities who have excelled in various fields of human endeavours and had impacted positively in the development of Nigeria .
Liman also acknowledged the immense efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari,Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and that of Justice , Abubakar Malami, SAN, in the deployment of the vehicle to the State .
“It will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the State fire Service, to combat fire incidences and efficiently manage all emergencies ,” he added .
Kebbi State Works Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, extolled the efforts of Bagudu in providing all the needs of the state Fire Service Command.
Ladan also promised that, the vehicle will be put to proper use and a response time of not more than minutes, within Birnin Kebbi metropolis would be ensured.
He further said that the state government had procured four fire fighting vehicles for the Airport and the some of the existing fire vehicles of the state have been repaired and are fully functional.
The Commissioner also disclosed that, among other things, a new Headquarters will be constructed for the state Fire Service Command , this year .
Highlight of the event include test drive of the new truck by the chief of staff as well as mock demonstration by firemen on the capability of the new vehicle to overwhelm fire outbreak.
Before departure from the state capital, the Comptroller General paid courtesy visit to the emir of Gwandu , Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar at the Abdullahi Fodio Palace Birnin Kebbi.
He was also at the headquarters of Kebbi State fire service department as well as the office allocated to the federal fire service by the state government at Kebbi State Urban Development Authority ( KUDA).
