The Cross River State Government has set in motion a sweeping restoration of fire service operations across the state, starting with the rehabilitation of the Calabar headquarters, after years of abandonment.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, disclosed this during an inspection of the State Fire Service Headquarters on Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar. The visit, carried out alongside members of the Asset Recovery Committee, was aimed at assessing facilities and equipment currently undergoing repairs.
Agbor described Governor Bassey Otu’s approval for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Fire Service as both strategic and timely, especially as the state braces for the dry season when fire outbreaks are more frequent.
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“With the Governor’s directive, we are not just restoring facilities but reviving confidence in emergency response,” he said. “Every asset, old or new, will be properly profiled to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective deployment.”
He directed the Fire Service to submit a detailed inventory of its assets within two weeks to enable the state update its central asset register. Agbor further assured that the administration would sustain routine monitoring of the facilities to guarantee that government’s investment is maximally utilized.
The State Director of Fire Service, Mr. Emmanuel Ajom, who conducted the team round the facility, highlighted ongoing works including the heavy maintenance of several fire trucks and the reconstruction of key buildings to meet global standards.
Ajom lauded Governor Otu for what he called an “unprecedented lifeline” to the fire service after more than 20 years of neglect by previous administrations. “This intervention is historic. No government has paid this level of attention to the Fire Service in over two decades. We are optimistic that with the Governor’s support, our capacity to save lives and property will be fully restored,” he said.
He appealed for the speedy completion of the project to enable firefighters to effectively respond to emergencies within Calabar and beyond.
