Some corrupt civil servants have been fingered as the actual masterminds of the fire outbreak that gutted parts of the Rivers state secretariat in the late hours of Monday.
This is as the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara who visited the scene of the incident on Tuesday described the inferno “as unfortunate” and promised to quicken the renovation of the legacy.
The affected part of the complex, which serves as a creche for babies of civil servants, was partly destroyed by the blaze. Governor Fubara visited the site to personally assess the level of damage.
“I came here this morning to see for myself what happened yesterday. It’s really unfortunate, but we give God all the glory that no life was lost and the damage was only in one section”, Fubara said.
The Governor explained that the incident would serve as a wake-up call to fast-track the planned renovation and refurbishing of the Secretariat Complex, which has been under consideration by his administration.
“We’ve been talking about the renovation of our foremost secretariat. With this particular incident, there should be no further delay. Whatever is required by this government to commence that process, we will immediately swing into action,” he assured.
Governor Fubara commended the State Fire Service firefighters for their prompt response, noting that previous investments made by his administration in the three fire service stations proved invaluable in containing the situation.
“Before the emergency rule, we took our time to invest in the fire service. I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t have a formidable and functional fire service,” he remarked.
He also appreciated civil servants for their dedication, resilience and continued support, reiterating his administration’s commitment to initiatives that will enhance their welfare and promote the well-being of all Rivers people.
“We’ll continue to do those things that will uplift Rivers people and make them happy,” the Governor added.
But Solomon Lenu, a rights activist and convener of Ogoni Development Drive, ODD, alleged that the fire incidence was an “act of sabotage” by some “corrupt civil servants whose connivance with the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retired) led to the misappropriation of the state’s resource during the six months of emergency rule”.
According to him, “You connived with the SOLAD, signed off Rivers State funds illegally. You directed the SOLAD on ways to siphon our common patrimony. Yet, you didn’t end there, you went further as Permanent Secretaries and contributed money, sent emissaries to Aso-Rock Villa to lobby for the extension of the State of Emergency, so that the Governor would not return”, he alleged.
Lenu in a statement in Port Harcourt, Tuesday said “as soon as the Governor muttered that he is aware of who did what and how, and that in due course, everyone would answer for their actions, you ran and went to burn part of the state Secretariat, in an attempt to conceal evidence of your crime”.
Recall that last week when he swore-in a new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to due process and integrity, stressing that civil service must remain the backbone of good governance.
Reflecting on past challenges during the period of emergency rule, Governor Fubara lamented that some Permanent Secretaries failed in their responsibility to safeguard due process and instead engaged in actions that undermined the principles of the service. He warned that such conduct is unacceptable and that erring officials would ultimately be held accountable.
He threatened that at the appropriate time, he would expose corrupt permanent secretaries who went the wrong way to aide in the misappropriation of the state’s resources.
Leave a Reply