From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has called for an increased Federal Government presence in Bayelsa State.
In particular, he advocated for the expanded establishment of federally controlled security apparatus in the state.
He also called on Nigerian leaders and federal lawmakers to seriously consider the issue of fire safety and support the personnel of the Nigeria Fire Service.
Dickson, who made these statements during the commissioning of the Federal Fire Station in Toru-Orua over the weekend, noted that the Nigeria Fire Service plays a critical role in the country by responding to emergencies and rescuing lives and property.
He said the new station at Toru-Orua will not only provide fire rescue and response services to the senatorial district but will extend its services to other neighbouring local government councils.
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Dickson thanked Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, and the leadership of the Fire Service for the positive changes that have taken place through various reforms spearheaded by the Minister.
“I have spoken about the need for more federal presence. That is one of the areas I pay particular attention to. If you look around the state, when I became governor, I upscaled the security presence in the state,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri commended Senator Dickson’s choice of the fire service project, stressing that it shows his deep understanding of the needs of the people and the future.
Diri, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, said the government will continue to support laudable projects of this sort.
He also stressed the importance of employing Bayelsans into the parastatals under the Ministry of Interior.
“The choice of a fire service station is a very unique thing for a serving senator. It shows a deep understanding of the needs of tomorrow. As a government, we would continue to support laudable projects such as this. I have spoken with the Minister of Interior that employment is very essential. There are lots of parastatals under him, and employing Bayelsans is essential.”
In his speech, Tunji-Ojo commended Senator Dickson for the fire service project, stating that it shows his concern for his people and his alignment with the joint ambition of the Federal Government to safeguard the people.
Earlier, Senator Dickson, in the company of the Minister for Interior, service chiefs of the fire service, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, among others, commissioned the Ekeremor Motor Park, a project he built to ease the problems of access to transport and the safety of vehicles in the local government.
Senator Dickson urged the leaders, elders, and youths to protect and put the motor park and other government facilities in the community and the local government to good use.
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