A member of the Imo State House of Assembly representing Okigwe Constituency, Samuel Chidiebere Ogbunikpa, has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently strengthen the state’s emergency response system by establishing functional fire service stations and rehabilitating the dilapidated Okigwe Fire Station following the recent fire outbreak at Eke Okigwe Market.
Ogbunikpa made the appeal while moving a motion on the floor of the House over the devastating inferno, which destroyed shops and valuable goods belonging to traders, leaving many victims counting their losses.
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker said the scale of destruction caused by the fire was enormous, noting that many affected shop owners were yet to recover from the shock of losing their means of livelihood.
He urged the state government to take immediate and proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, stressing that an effective emergency response system was critical to protecting lives and property.
According to him, the state fire service must be directed to live up to its responsibility by responding promptly and effectively to emergency situations across the state.
Lawmakers Back Motion
The motion received overwhelming support from members of the House, who unanimously appealed to Governor Uzodimma to provide immediate assistance to traders affected by the fire disaster.
The lawmakers also called for improved firefighting infrastructure in Okigwe and other parts of the state to ensure quicker responses whenever emergencies occur.
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Ogbunikpa further appealed to the governor to provide essential firefighting equipment, including fire trucks and water boreholes to guarantee a reliable water supply during fire emergencies.
He also urged the government to rehabilitate the existing Okigwe Fire Station, describing its current condition as dilapidated and inadequate for effective service delivery.
“The State Government should also consider the sorry situation of the dilapidated Okigwe Fire Station and repair it to modern standards, with a new service truck for efficient performance to avoid the recurrence of such incidents in the future,” he said.
The lawmaker further appealed to the state government to compensate traders whose goods were destroyed in the inferno, noting that many victims had lost their primary source of income and would require government support to rebuild their businesses.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.