The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has advised Governor Seyi Makinde to empower the state fire service.

APC noted that this is necessary to tackle the incessant fire incidents in the state in recent times.

The party made these declarations in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare.

The statement was made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.

DAILY POST gathered that the state has been witnessing a series of unfortunate fire incidents in the last few weeks.

The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday at Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan, where properties worth millions of naira were completely destroyed.

In its reaction, APC appealed to Makinde to empower the state fire service and ensure that adequate manpower is available for its operations across the state.

The party also called on the governor to prioritize safety measures.

The statement lamented the incessant loss of lives and properties of residents in the state.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the many traders and others in the popular Aleshinloye Market who lost so much in money and property as a result of the unfortunate Tuesday night fire incident, even as such cases have become a recurring decimal across the state in recent times.

“While we sympathize with all the victims, there is a dire need to challenge the Makinde administration on its approach to issues of safety, accident prevention, and management in the state.

“Meanwhile, we appeal to Governor Makinde to empower the State Fire Service Department and ensure that adequate manpower is available for its operations in every part of the state.

“It is equally important for the state to prioritize safety measures, such as the orientation and education of members of the public on how to prevent fire incidents at all times.

“Also, we demand detailed information on the 10 firefighting trucks believed to have been paid for and imported from Turkey in 2020, while measures must be put in place to arrest the unabated trend of infernos and related disasters in the state.”

Empower Oyo Fire Service to tackle incessant infernos – APC charges Makinde