Edith CHUKU
About five days after a devastating fire incident at Macaulay Street in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, the council chairman, Mr Abinye Blessing Pepple, has finally visited the scene.
Pepple sent his vice chairman, Ibinyefagha Renner Alabere, to pay an assessment visit to ascertain the level of damage and reassure residents of the takeoff of the fire station by end of June this year.
During the visit on Tuesday, the LG boss sympathised with victims of the fire outbreaks in Finima and Macaulay communities.
In Finima Community, five fully stocked shops were destroyed in a fire reportedly caused by an electrical fault, while in Macaulay Community, another electrical fire incident razed eight rooms and valuables belonging to several residents, including Mrs. Gloria Pepple, Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the chairman.
The chairman described the incidents as painful and unfortunate, expressing sympathy to affected families and business owners who lost properties.
He also urged residents to remain safety conscious, particularly in handling electrical appliances and wiring, to help prevent future occurrences.
Pepple further reassured residents that the local government council, in collaboration with the Bonny Legislative Council, was working to ensure that Bonny Fire Station becomes fully operational by the end of June 2026.
Meanwhile, victims have lamented that the incident destroyed several property and businesses, with many lossing goods worth hundred of millions of naira.
