By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Eminent citizens of Ondo State have called for the removal of the state fire service from the state Ministry of Works to make it effective.
Similarly, the state House of Assembly has directed the Management of the state fire service to submit comprehensive situation report of the agency to the assembly.
The call and directive were made during the house ad hoc committee on fire incident assessment visit to the headquarters of the fire service and the scene of the recent fire outbreak at Ijomu in Akure.
A three-man ad-hoc committee chaired by a member representing Akoko North/West 1, Mr Sulaimon Maito was inaugurated by the Assembly Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun to interface with the fire fighting agency to determine their areas of need and to also visit the scene of the recent fire outbreaks.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Maito who noted that fire service effectiveness is germane to preventing loss of property in the state, noted that the house is worried about the incessant inferno in the state.
According to him,the ad hoc committee will look at the situation holistically and submit comprehensive report and recommendations to the whole house.
Maito, who charged the fire service on maintenance culture, collaboration with relevant organisations and individuals to achieve its objective. assured that drastic steps would be taken to make it effective.
Other lawmakers called on the fire fighters to always be on ground to train and sensitize people on first approach to fight fire and measures to be taken to prevent fire outbreak.
The lawmakers maintained that it is crucial, especially during the dry season to sensitize people through television and radio programmes on how to avert disaster.
They stressed the need to make their contacts available to the public so as to know who to contact in case of emergency, assuring that the house would support every move that will enhance fire service in the state.
Earlier, the state Director of Fire Service, Mr Linus Ashamo had explained to the lawmakers their challenges, noting that out of 13 fire trucks, only two in Owo and Ondo stations were working.
While saying that the Agency was created in 1976 and have seven service stations across the state, he sought for the Lawmaker’s support to make it functional.
Some Fire fighters who spoke in separate interviews with The Hope but did not want their names in print posited that the Agency should be removed from the state Ministry of Works to make them effective.
According to them, the Agency need equipment to work with and additional manpower.