…steps up response to fire emergencies
The Edo State Government has said the newly commissioned 700-capacity Benin Central Park Terminal at the Obakhavbaye axis of Benin City, will fully begin operations on Monday, March 28, 2022.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Osasere Evbuomwan, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the weekly Edo State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting chaired by Governor Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House, in Benin City.
The Commissioner noted, “A team of the Edo State Government led by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu met with relevant stakeholders in the transport sector based on their protest and it was agreed upon that the levy at the terminal needs to be revisited.
“All the stakeholders, union leaders and the management team have agreed on the levies and by Monday, we are going to officially commence the running of the central bus terminal.”
“The government has explained to the commercial bus drivers the need to operate from the central bus terminal and they now better understand the importance of the terminal and its gains to them,” Evbuomwan added.
Speaking on the government’s readiness to tackle fire incidents in the state, Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the state government is hugely investing to make its fire and emergency response world-class.
Nehikhare stated, “We are taking very seriously the incidence of fire accidents in Edo, especially in Benin in the last few years to combat this unfortunate incident. The government is ready and investing hugely in the training of personnel and purchase of equipment to help our fire service become world-class.
“We have received two modern firefighting equipment in the last few weeks. One was a donation from Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and only recently, we received another brand new fire truck purchased by the state government.
“We are also expecting a second super-power fire service truck, and all these are among preparations ahead of next year’s dry season, to make sure that we do not have unfortunate incidents of fire destroying people’s homes, markets and offices.”
The Commissioner assured, “We made a commitment to our people to protect them and we are taking the issue of fire emergencies very seriously. We are going to train our fire service personnel; we are going to employ more people into our fire service and are going to activate our fire stations across the three senatorial districts and give them a more robust presence to help in fighting fire.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Donald Okogbe, disclosed that a recommendation was presented before the EXCO on the need to reconstitute the ward development committee to foster development in local governments.
