Edith CHUKU
Scores of residents of Oro-Owo Community in Rumueme Kingdom of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have been rendered homeless following a devastating fire outbreak.
The incident which happened on Sunday, razed down buildings, destroyed property worth millions but no live was lost.
Dismayed by the incident, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, Dr Gift Worlu, visited victims of the fire outbreak on Tuesday, to assess the level of damage.
The visit was also aimed at identifying with victims of the unfortunate incident and evaluating the situation firsthand with a view to providing necessary support and preventing future occurrences.
Addressing newsmen, the chairman said his primary purpose was not merely to assess the damage but to sympathize and stand in solidarity with the affected families.
Worlu emphasized that government owes its people a duty of care, especially in times of distress, noting that efforts would be made to support the victims and guide them toward recovery.
He further explained that steps would be taken to work with the community to ascertain the cause of the fire in order to forestall future occurrences.
Further, Worlu advised residents on the need to adhere to standard building codes and healthier living conditions, stressing that poor housing designs and unsafe practices often predispose communities to such disasters.
His words, “Obio/Akpor has evolved into an urban centre and residents must begin to adopt modern safety and housing standards that promote livability.
“The local government council is in the process of establishing an emergency management system, which will become operational before the middle of the year. The system will enhance preparedness in terms of manpower, equipment, and crisis management capacity.”
While thanking God that no lives were lost in the incident, he assured the victims that the council would explore ways to ameliorate their suffering and help restore them to stability.
Those present during the visit were Councillor representing Ward 10 in the 10th Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly; Mr. Ohazurume Chukwu, the Supervisor for Youth, Sports and Culture; the Ward 10 Chairman, Promise Ogwutum Amadi; Prof. Nlerum, former Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology; Mr. Noble Amadi, former CTC Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA; Chief Bob Chukwu; Queenth Akaninwa, and other Ward 10 stakeholders in Rumueme.
