Attack on our firefighters uncalled for – Akiba

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, has condemned the attack on firefighters, describing it as uncalled for.

Barr. Akiba spoke while responding to a fire incident along Goldie Street in Calabar, where residents attacked firefighters who came to extinguish the blaze.

The incident, which occurred over the weekend, affected houses and shops, and the financial implications of the damage are yet to be ascertained.

Condemning the attack on firefighters, Barr. Akiba said, “Attacking the firefighters and the fire truck is uncalled for and not a solution to the incident.

“From inception, the Gov Otu administration has been very intentional and conscious of the need for emergency response.

“We have enough chemicals, water, firefighting trucks and firemen. The government is very responsible and deliberate about protecting people, lives and property.

“That the firefighters came late is not enough reason to attack them. When you say they came late, who are you holding responsible that made the call early?

“This is clearly a gap in communication and a clear misunderstanding between the people and firefighters,” he said.

He said the government had activated a multi-agency disaster management framework to coordinate emergency response and is working on a communication system that will be properly channelled.

He also announced that the government is gathering data on fire victims across the state with the aim of helping them mitigate their losses.

Akiba also urged youths and residents to remain calm and cooperative during emergencies, warning that destruction of public assets and attacks on firefighters would only set the state back.