ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Fire Service has disclosed that property valued at more than N8 billion were destroyed by fire in Cross River State from January to 26 October, 2023.
The Commanding Officer, Calabar Command of the Federal Fire Service, Mrs. Olumayowa Olomola, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar, the State capital on Thursday.
Olomola noted that the destruction took place in 13 fire incidents reported within the same period.
The commanding officer said also, that one death was recorded while three persons were injured in the 13 fire incidents.
She gave an instance of the value of destroyed properties, saying that: “A transformer at the TCN 33 KVA sub station line at Adiabo, Calabar, that was gutted by fire in August is put at a cost of N2.6 billion.
“We also had the fire incident at Marian fruits market that affected over 13 lock-up shops with goods and also the Airtel Mast near governor’s office.
“We also responded to two fire incidents at the University of Calabar; another one at a Catholic school, and one mobile base transformer.”
Olomola, who said that the command responded swiftly to the incidents, however, noted the challenges of the Service in Cross River.
She noted particularly, the high price of diesel and lack of water tankers and ambulance on its stable as hindrance to their efficiency.
“Again, we have challenges of crowd invading the scene of fire incidents which in most times, denied us access.
“Most times, the aim of some persons in the crowd is to steal from the fire incident.
“We also have the problem of traffic and travel distance to scene of fire incidents,” she said.