Fubara’s Investment in Fire Service Revamp Saved the Day – Rivers Head of Service Says
The investment of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara in rehabilitating the State Fire Service grossly mitigated the fire incident at the Audit and Pensions Unit in the State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, the Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown has said.
Dr Brown said this on Monday, October 7, 2025 while address journalists at the ground floor of Podium Block in the State Secretariat, scene of the fire incident, in Port Harcourt.
“We thank God, and we thank His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the fire service, this situation would have been worse.”
She informed that there were no casualties during the fire incident, explaining that on noticing the fire outbreak, the State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, and those of Renaissance Africa Energy Company (RAEC), and the military were promptly called to contain the inferno.
“We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block and we immediately made calls to the River State Fire Service, and they responded promptly.”
“We also called other partners of the state, such as Renaissance, Federal Fire Service, and the military, who all promptly sent their fire trucks. It was a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained.”
She disclosed that the state medical service was on the ground to curtail any emergency, explaining that preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been as a result of electrical faults, calling on all civil servants to be responsible in putting off all electrical services at the close of work.
“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplug to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them.”
Dr Brown further assured that Governor Fubara was working on measures to refurbish the secretariat buildings, which will be made known soon.
