Fire Service Boss Fumes Over Attacks On Personnel

• Threatens to withdraw services

The Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Dr Ibrahim Liman, has threatened that the Service will withdraw from any state where his men or equipment are attacked in the course of discharging their statutory duties.

He said the Service will no longer condone a situation where angry mob vents their frustration on its personnel who seek to save lives and property during fire incidents and other emergency situations.

The Comptroller General Liman said most people do not appreciate that Firemen sometimes have to drive about 100 km before getting to their destination, only to be attacked by angry mobs out of “alleged sympathy”.

Dr Liman, who made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Akure, the State capital on Tuesday, explained that his team was in the state for a week-long retreat for management staff of the Fire Service.

He said the programme would serve as training aimed at boosting service delivery by the Firemen, noting that the Service has been repositioned for improved mandate delivery by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Liman also disclosed that the staff strength of the service had moved from under 1,000 staff before 2015 to over 6,000 and with the acquisition of 141 trucks, while another 59 already purchased were to reach the country soon.

Equally, he said the response of his men to fire disasters had improved with the presence of the service in 13 zones and all the states of the federation.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Akeredolu said the visit was an important one as the season transit from wet to dry one where issues of fire beckon.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed enthusiasm about cordial relationship and the cooperation of the Federal Fire Service with the state arm of the agency.

“I cannot but note here that we are very pleased to receive to the state a while ago, a Fire Tanker, an Ambulance, and a Fire Truck from the Federal Fire Service. This is no doubt very significant support and boosts from the federal agency.

“The state is equally delighted to note the extension of the Federal Fire Stations to Ore, down South, and to the Northern Senatorial District, which was recently announced to us by the Federal Comptroller in the State.

“In response to this gesture, I am also happy to use this occasion to inform you here that we have recently approved the repair of four Fire Trucks belonging to the State Agency and one Ambulance.

“This effort was made possible through the collaboration and support of the Federal Fire Service maintenance team which volunteered to oversee the repairs accordingly,” the governor said.

Assuring that efforts are already in top gear towards actualising these objectives through processing and releasing the needed funds in no time, Governor Akeredolu said; “As we speak, this process is already in its final stages and soon funds shall be available for slated repair exercise.” – NAN