The Benue House of Assembly has summoned the commandant of the state fire service to explain the reasons for the agency’s inability to render desired services to citizens.

The lawmakers’ summon followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Abraham Jabi (Buruku/APC) at plenary on Tuesday.

Mr Jabi informed the assembly that on July 24, a fire broke out in the home of one Samuel Tough in the Makurdi metropolis, but despite the distress calls to the fire service, firefighters failed to respond.

The lawmaker said even when the victim physically went to the state fire service office, he was told they could not help due to a lack of water, tyres, and fuel in the fire truck.

Mr Jabi urged the legislature to investigate the reason for the dereliction of duty by the state fire service.

“Mr Speaker and my colleagues, there’s a need for this house to invite the commandant to appear before us and explain the reasons for their inability to perform their duties as needed.

“I will also wish to move the motion that the house should set up a committee to investigate why the station is not living up to public expectations,” he prayed.

Seconding the motion, Terkume Akya (Makurdi South/APC) said the motion should be fully supported.

Mr Akya said that monies were voted annually for the fire service, “yet the staff always fail to perform their duties as expected.”

After much deliberation, the house unanimously adopted the prayers of Jabi.

The house speaker, Aondona Dajoh, said the fire service boss should appear before the house on Wednesday.

Mr Aondona also ordered the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to further investigate the issue.

(NAN)