The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the state government to mandate the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to assist victims of fire in Paiko Local Government Area of the state.
It also urged the state government to set up fire service stations in the council as well as in other LGAs that do not have such facilities.
The motion was moved under Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Umar Nasir, representing Paikoro constituency, and presided over by the Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
Nasir told the house that on November 26, 2023, there was an outbreak of fire in which some residents of the area lost their properties.
According to him: “Unfortunately, the fire service men were called upon, but before they arrived from Minna to Paiko, nothing was left to rescue. This was due to the bad road leading to the scene of the incident and their houses and shops were destroyed.
“The state government should also, through the Niger State Road Management Agency, NIGROMA, patch up failed sections of roads in the council because it was the bad state of the road that prevented the timely response of the fire service personnel to the inferno.”
The lawmakers noted that given the damage and suffering caused by the fire on the victims, the state government should assist them with relief materials and establish a firefighting station in the council.
Members took turns to deliberate on the matter and unanimously agreed that NSEMA should provide relief to victims of the fire incident in Paiko LG to reduce the difficulties confronting them.
They also agreed that a fire service station be established in Paikoro Council as well as across other LGAs of the state.
The lawmakers further added that establishing fire service stations across the local government areas would ensure quick response in the event of a fire outbreak in the grassroots areas.
Niger Assembly urges state govt to assist victims of fire in Paiko Council
