By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A panel with the mandate to unravel the cause of a fire outbreak at the Mechanic Village along Imiringi Road in Yenagoa has been constituted by the Bayelsa State government.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said on Sunday during an assessment of the scene that Governor Douye Diri has appointed the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Mr Stanley Braboke as head of the committee.
The team is also expected to ascertain the level of damage caused by the unfortunate incident and suggest measures to forestall future occurrences.
“On behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State, we want to empathize with those who have lost properties in this unfortunate incident,” the Deputy Governor said when he visited the scene.
At about 3am on Sunday, a fire incident was reported at the Mechanic Village and it took the prompt intervention of fire-fighters to bring the situation under control, ensuring that no single life was lost, though properties were destroyed.
But to further improve on the response time during emergencies, the state government has said steps would be taken to decentralize fire service stations in the Yenagoa metropolis.
The Deputy Governor said fire fighting trucks would be stationed in strategic areas such as Etegwe-Tombia Junction, Igbogene and Swali for quick intervention to save lives and property in the event of any fire incident.
He also said the state government would relocate the Mechanic Village to an appropriate and a more conducive location in line with extant environmental laws and best practices.
“We are going to look at the possibility of having other stations in close proximity. If the distance was shorter, I am sure more properties would have been rescued.
“We are going to look at the possibility of decentralizing the fire station, to have more stations across the state capital. This government will try and position fire trucks in strategic locations like Tombia Junction, Igbogene and Swali areas,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Spare Parts Dealers Association at the Mechanic Village, Mr Sunday Okoli, commended the Governor for the swift visit and show of sympathy, noting that the gesture would go a long way to encourage those affected.
He appreciated the security operatives for promptly alerting the fire service as well as helping to secure the scene and its vicinity to avoid theft during the incident.
