Taraba State Unready To Tackle Disasters - Federal Fire Service Chief

In a recent statement by Mr. Yakubu S. Dungus, the Commander of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) in Taraba State revealed that the State was not ready for effective handling of disasters. Mr. Yakubu was speaking during a meeting with Gabriel Olayinka, Editor-in-Chief of Taraba News.

The State FFS boss emphasized the importance of proactive measures in disaster management, while highlighting that the State merely engages in fixing problems after an incident has resulted in significant financial losses for numerous individuals. He urgently called upon Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, to take immediate and decisive action to combat and mitigate potential disasters.

While acknowledging that no one wishes for disasters to occur, Mr. Dungus stressed that they are an unfortunate reality of life, adding that to effectively manage such incidents, readiness and preparedness were paramount. He also expressed concern over the negligence of past administrations in providing essential assistance and equipment to combat disasters effectively when they strike.

He clarified that the Federal Fire Service in Taraba State aims to complement the efforts of the State Fire Service, while expressing regrets that the state's fire service was facing significant challenges due to a lack of functional fire vehicles and other essential apparatuses. In light of this, Mr. Dungus urged the PDP government to recruit professional firefighters for the state fire service and ensure they undergo proper training to tackle any fire disaster.

To enhance response capabilities, Mr. Yakubu S. Dungus called for the establishment of fire response units at strategic locations like Jalingo main market, ATC, and Mile Six to play a crucial role in swiftly responding to fire emergencies in the State.

As the victims of the ATC fire accident continue to grapple with the aftermaths, Mr. Yakubu extended his sympathies and urged all State and Federal agency services to step in and support the affected shop owners, thereby mitigating the impact of this devastating disaster.