Abia govt to charge culprits of careless fire incidents with arson

It will not be business as usual for people who engage in acts capacable of causing fire outbreaks as the Abia State government has said it will henceforth charge culprits of careless fire incidents with arson.
This is in a bid to mitigate the challenges of unnecessary fire outbreaks in the state which result to lose of lives and properties.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who disclosed this,Thursday, while commissioning sets of Fire Tunic Equipments at the Premises of the state Fire Service further stressed the need for residents to be careful with electricity and ensure they switch off electrical appliances when not in use as well as avoid bush burning and other activities that could trigger fire outbreak, and cautioned that it will not be business as usual for culprits.
His words: “I want to sound it not just as an advice but a note of warning that every Abian should begin now to be very careful. If any fire outbreak is traced to your carelessness, it may no longer go as business as usual.
“Those in the markets are enjoined to monitor the  use of electrical appliances and switch off same when closing shops so as not to create problems not just for themselves but other people in the state.
“It is also neccessary for those who engage in busy burning during dry seasons to be very careful because it would no longer be business as usual because anyone whose carelessness is traced to incidence of fire will be charged for arson. If we warn you and you don’t heed, whatever you see, you take.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr ACB Agbazuere, Governor Ikpeazu while noting that the Fire Tunic Equipments was meant for heat resistance which enable fire fighters to get close to fire without harm during fire outbreaks,
expressed the commitment of his administration to providing more equipments for members of the state fire service to enable them serve the state better.

He expressed delight in the way and manner officers of the fire service had been carrying out their duties and commended them for manifesting commitment to duty, passion for service, adding that the state government is delighted with them hence the show of support through the provision of several fire fighting equipments.

The Governor assured that his administration is determined to provide more equipments to the agency to combact the issue of fire outbreaks across the state and ensure efficient service delivery to Abians especially with the increasing population of the State.

Earlier in his speech, the Controller, Abia State Fire Service Mr. Victor Gbaruko thanked Governor for providing fire fighting equipment and other supports to the Abia State Fire Service which made them capable of handling fire outbreaks across the State.
He noted that fire outbreaks have become alarming, hence the need to have enough equipments to tackle it.
The event featured a Live Fire Drill conducted by the men of the Abia State fire service displaying how they combat fire outbreaks.