The Cross River Fire Service amendment bill has crossed the second reading after it was deliberated upon by members of the state House of Assembly on Thursday.

Presenting the motion to the house during plenary, Francis Ogban, the member representing Biase State Constituency, disclosed that the law had existed since 1985 and did not suit the present-day realities.

Mr Ogban noted that the law codified into Cross River Law in 2004 had levies and fines for fire violations for as low as N100 to N500, depending on the degree.

“Most of the fire fighting equipment of the agency is either obsolete or dead due to poor funding; this is why we have had various uncontrollable fire incidents in different LGAs of the state.

“After looking at the situation, I felt it was necessary for this law to be amended so that the state fire service can start functioning well; you know that any organisation that cannot generate revenue for its sustenance will definitely fail,” he said.

Supporting the motion, Davies Etta, representing Abi State Constituency, said the fire service was in a sorry state.

Mr Etta said during the ninth assembly, members witnessed many fire incidents in the state, adding that the agency responsible for fighting the fire was poorly equipped.

He said they had reviewed the fines and levies to ensure the agency raised feasible funds with the current realities.

Also supporting the motion, Odey Wonah, representing Yala 1, said a major problem with the society was poor awareness of the effects of fire, especially when precautions wey not taken.

Elvert Ayambem, the assembly speaker, thanked the bill’s sponsor for his concern for society.

He committed the bill to the Committee on Environment for further deliberations. 

(NAN)