Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government for siting the headquarters of the newly created Zone K of the Federal Fire Service and Zone Sixteen of the Nigeria Police Force in the state.
Senator Diri gave the commendation on Wednesday while commissioning a modern fire fighting truck donated by the Federal Government in Yenagoa.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, described the recent efforts of the federal government to increase its presence in the state as symbolic and encouraging development.
The governor expressed the prosperity administration’s readiness to partner the federal government to attract key developmental projects and programmes to the state.
Senator Diri noted that it was heart warming to see the federal government taking more positive steps towards Bayelsa and urged it to sustain the tempo to give the state a sense of belonging in the interest of justice and equity.
While thanking the President and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for donating the Fire Fighting Truck, Senator Diri solicited the establishment of more fire sub-stations in the three senatorial districts of the state to make for quick response to any fire outbreak.
He also expressed gratitude to Federal Ministry of Interior for promoting a Bayelsan to the position of Assistant Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Mr Pere Karemo, who is now in charge of the newly created Zone K of the Service.
Governor Diri, however, called for more of such opportunities especially in the employment of Bayelsa youths into the Federal Civil Service.
Responding to some of the demands made by the Controller General, he assured that his administration would give all necessary assistance to the federal agency within the limits of available resources.
His words, “On behalf of the miracle Governor, let me use this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. President and the Minister of Interior who have found our state worthy and hospitable to host the Zonal Office and for giving us this modern Fire Fighting Truck.
“We have received your presentation and we are going to respond to all the issues raised which in our opinion are very germane and necessary.
“We are happy that you have asked for a land, I am very sure that when the governor comes back, he will approve a place for you to build a befitting office.
“We have a lot of land that we can give to several federal agencies, just like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board that now has a building of several storeys here in Yenagoa, which no one ever believed would be possible.
“The issue of personnel will be looked into and vehicles to aid your job would also be given utmost priority when the governor returns”
“The government of Bayelsa State will appreciate if your agency can employ some Bayelsans into the fire service.
Senator Diri also used the opportunity to congratulate Assistant Controller General of Fire Zone K Bayelsa State, Mr. Pere Karemo on his elevation and promised to honour him at a later date.
Speaking earlier, the Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Dr Ibrahim Liman, said the federal government was concerned about the enormous threat fire outbreaks pose to the economy and well-being of the society.
Making reference to some fire incidents in the state which destroyed Radio Bayelsa, Swali Market, and the Niger Delta University, Dr Liman promised to collaborate with the state government to put the menace in check.
The Controller General who was represented by the Assistant Controller General of Fire and Head of Operations, Mr. Thompson Olatunji noted that the donation of fire truck demonstrates President Buhari’s resolve to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country.
He congratulated Governor Diri and Senator Ewhrudjakpo on their emergence as “Miracle Governor and Deputy Governor” of the state and assured them of a robust working relationship.
