Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says the state government will spend N5 million monthly for the maintenance of Federal Government-owned fire-fighting trucks in the state.
Wike made the expression on Thursday during the inauguration of some fire-fighting facilities recently deployed to the state by the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that recently, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola approved the deployment of newly acquired fire-fighting trucks to Federal Fire Services in states.
The governor said that the monthly donation should only be used to support the maintenance of fire-fighting facilities in the state.
“The money is our own way of supporting your operation in the state, it is not to be shared among your officials.
“ Use it to ensure that the facilities are maintained. This money is not to be used to service other states, use it to service this state,” he said.
He urged federal fire station authorities in the state to use the funds judiciously, saying, “we shall stop the funding if you are not judicious”
Wike commended the Federal Government for the equal distribution of the modern fire-fighting trucks to states in the country.
“Thank you for not playing politics with this, thank you for doing the right thing.
“We consider the gesture a good one, as a government, we are committed to the safety of the lives and property of our people,” he said.
The governor announced the state government’s plan to purchase two utility vehicles for the state fire service.
He urged fire-fighting personnel in the state to be more proactive and to ensure proper maintenance of facilities.
In his speech, Controller-General, Federal Fire Service, Liman Ibrahim, assured the governor of prudent deployment of the fund.
“The fund shall be used to procure inputs such as chemicals, diesel and auxiliary equipment, these inputs are critical to the delivery of our service,” he said.
Ibrahim further stated that the Federal Government had promised to deploy more fire trucks to the states before the end of 2021.(NAN)
