GOV OTTI FUMES AS FIRE GUTS OBINGAWA COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Property worth millions of naira have been destroyed by fire at the Headquarters of Obingwa Local Council in Abia State.

The fiire razed the Court registry, Works Department and National Youth Council buildings, including equipment and office items.

Governor Alex Otti, who visited the Council Headquarters for an on the spot assessment, thanked God that no life was lost during the incident.

Governor Otti expressed regretted the porosity of the council and directed the Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area, Mr. Maxwell Nwadike, to make adequate arrangement to fence the council headquarters to maintain only one entrance and exit as well as deploy armed security personnel to safeguard the council.

According to the Governor, the contract for the construction of new court halls across all the 17 local government areas has been awarded and wondered the slow pace of construction in Obingwa.

He further instructed the Chairman to put pressure on the contractor handling the project to expedite action.

Governor Otti directed his Special Assistant on Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency, Mr. Chinenye Anajemba, to arrange for stationing of fire trucks in every local government area in the State for prompt responses to emergencies.

The Chairman of the council, Mr. Maxwell Nwadike, who conducted the Governor round the affected building, said the level of damage was yet to be ascertained but details would be ascertained within the next one week as he was setting up an investigative committee to that effect.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU