By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
The Cross River State Chairman, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr. Pascal Kejie-Bobua, has explained why the association took a decision to acquire firefighting truck for the Ikom community.
He stressed that the firefighting equipment will assist in tackling the fire outbreaks in the area, which often result to significant property damage.
The CAN chairman gave this explanation during a courtesy visit to Governor Bassy Otu’s office at Government’s office Leopard Road Calabar.
Kejie-Bobua stated that the firefighting truck will provide much-needed emergency services to the community stressing that Ikom local government area has experienced numerous fire outbreaks over in the last decade causing substantial losses of property, bringing abject poverty to the fire victims.
He stressed that each time residents of the LG witnessed fire out break, the fire usually destroys property that worth millions of naira due to absence of firefighting equipment, extinguished the fire.
“Any one conversant with happenings around IKom local Government area, will attest to the fact that there have been several fire outbreaks in the last decade where shops and houses are razed down due to lack of fire fighting equipment.
“We had instances where fire breaks out around Ikom main market and no fire fighting equipment to tackle or extinguish the fire leaving the market traders at their own peril.
“This is why we saw the need to go for the firefighting equipment and nothing else,” the chairman maintained.
Reacting the state governor expressed joy and his appreciation for the visit and lauded the Association’s contributions towards development of the state and the nation at large.
He assured the CAN stakeholders of his administration willingness to partner the association in moving the state forward stressing that with collaboration, a lot can be archived as team work remains the surest way to achieve success.