Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for the immediate award of a Federal Fire Service (FFS) contract aimed at addressing recurring fire outbreaks in Okene, Kogi State, following a recent tragic incident that claimed lives and destroyed properties.
Reacting to the fire disaster that occurred at Old Zango area of Okene, just before the Total fuel station, the lawmaker expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction caused by the inferno, describing the incident as both painful and preventable.
“My attention has been drawn to the tragic fire incident that occurred at Old Zango, just before the Total fuel station in Okene recently. Sadly, lives were lost and properties destroyed,” she said.
According to the Senator, the incident reflects a long-standing emergency response gap in the area, noting that similar fire disasters have occurred repeatedly over the decades.
“This is not an isolated occurrence. Over the decades, similar incidents have happened in this area. Beyond offering prayers, I have taken deliberate steps to ensure that when such emergencies arise, the damage is minimized and lives are better protected,” she stated.
Senator Natasha disclosed that she had facilitated the establishment of a Federal Fire Service facility to be located in Okene Local Government Area as part of proactive measures to strengthen emergency response capacity in Kogi Central.
“In line with this commitment, I facilitated the establishment of a Federal Fire Service facility to be sited in Okene LGA. While the coordinating ministry and relevant agency have already visited the proposed site, the contract has not yet been awarded due to zero capital fund allocations in the 2025 budget,” she explained.
She further pledged to engage the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, after the holiday period to accelerate the commencement of the project.
“I will, after the holidays, meet with the Honourable Minister Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to follow up and push for the immediate take-off of this critical project,” the senator added.
The lawmaker extended condolences to families affected by the tragedy and called for collective efforts to prevent future occurrences.
“May God comfort the bereaved and protect us all,” she said.
Residents of Okene and surrounding communities have repeatedly raised concerns over delayed emergency response during fire outbreaks, with the people of Kogi Central expressing hope that the proposed Federal Fire Service facility will significantly improve safety and disaster management across Kogi Central.
