In an attempt to mitigate the effect of fire outbreak in metropolitan towns in Niger State, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has approved the construction of six new Fire Fighting Stations of global standard in some towns of the state at the cost of over N1 billion.
This came to the fore yesterday when the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Abdulmalik Usman Cheche inspected the Bida Fire Station under construction.
The new stations will replace the old one, some of which were built before the state was created in 1976.
The Commissioner disclosed that the cities slated for the first phase include, Minna, the state capital, Bida, Suleja, Kontagora and Mokwa, while Lapai, Agaie, New Bussa, Kuta and Kagara will be on the second phase.
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Hon. Cheche said that aside from the structures, which will have all the modern facilities in a fire station, state government has procured 13 fire fighting engines to be deployed to all the stations.
According to the Commissioner, “The challenges of our fast growing towns and cities and the poor condition of our fire fighting stations across the state to tackle any fire outbreak informed Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s decision to construct these new stations, equip them with modern fire fighting gadgets to face the increasing challenges of urbanization in our cities and town.
“Under the first phase, Minna will have two stations while other cities will have one each. Another station is been planned for Suleja along with other towns in the second phase in view of its expansion.
“Each of these standard stations, built at the cost of N190 million will have a water dump, industrial borehole, fire fighting engine, a back-up water tanker and other fire fighting accessories needed for modern day fire fighting service,” the Commissioner stated.
He then expressed satisfaction on the level of work done in all the on going project. The Commissioner was optimistic that the new stations will be ready for use in the early part of next year.
The Commissioner had earlier inspected the site for the construction of Agaie Fire Station while he directed the Chairman of Lapai Local Government, Hon. Usman Mohammed to provide land for the construction of Lapai township fire station, which comes under the second phase.
Jibrin Baba Ndace
Chief Press Secretary
11th December , 2016
