The Abia State government has commenced the construction of a modern fire service headquarters in Umuahia, in alignment with its ongoing reforms to strengthen emergency response infrastructure across the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency Services, Chukwunenye Alajemba, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interactive session with journalists in Umuahia.

Mr Alajemba said the project was ordered by Governor Alex Otti to replace the dilapidated fire station that had served the state for decades.

“The governor has decided that the state’s emergency services should be second to none. He ordered the demolition of the old fire station because it was falling apart and had never been maintained,” he said.

According to him, the new complex would serve as a complete emergency headquarters.

Mr Alajemba said the facility would accommodate 10 fire trucks, a medical emergency mini-clinic, and an integrated communication and dispatch centre, equipped with advanced technology.

He said, “This place will have the dispatch call centre. The system we’re designing will allow us to track incidents in real time, using drone and satellite technology.

“It will also enable hospitals to prepare for emergencies even before patients arrive.”

He further said the facility would operate an end-to-end response network, linking emergency calls to nearby hospitals, ambulances, and fire units, a first-of-its-kind setup in the state.

“For instance, if there’s an accident and there is a bone fracture case, we can geolocate a hospital specialised in orthopedic cases and inform it instantly while the ambulance is still on its way.

“The hospital will know the exact time the patient will arrive,” Mr Alajemba said.

He also disclosed that new firefighting trucks had been ordered to boost the state’s capacity.

“The governor actually ordered some new firefighting trucks to be delivered—about two for now—before December, and more will come as funds become available,” Mr Alajemba said.

He emphasised that the project was fully funded by the Abia government, adding that the new headquarters would play a crucial role in protecting the state’s growing infrastructure and investments.

Mr Alajemba also encouraged residents to support the present administration’s efforts by equipping their homes and businesses with certified fire extinguishers.

He expressed optimism that with the governor’s support, Abia would soon have one of the most responsive and technologically advanced emergency systems in Nigeria.

The project contractor, Munachiso Okorocha, said the structure was designed to meet international standards.

Mr Okoroacha said, “This structure is supposed to accommodate 10 fire trucks, and at any point in time, we will have at least seven or eight trucks ready to attend to fire hazards and other emergencies.”

He described the building as a structure with a ground floor and a first floor, designed to withstand the heavy weight of fire trucks.

Mr Okorocha said the construction was expected to last 28 weeks, with delivery scheduled in the first quarter of 2026.

(NAN)