Fire Outbreak: Gov. Zulum rewards 149 firefighters with N14.9 million
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has given N100,000 each to 60 firemen working with the Borno Government, 49 working with the Federal Fire Service, as well as 38 volunteer firefighters in appreciation of their prompt response to last Saturday’s fire incident at Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, in the state capital.
Zulum announced the cash reward totaling N14.9 million for the 149 firefighters during an appreciation visit to their office in Maiduguri on Sunday.
READ ALSO: Fire guts another Borno market on election day
He said the visit and the monetary gift were in appreciation for their swift response to the fire outbreak.
Zulum also ordered that the firefighters should be given a bag of rice each, while the volunteers should be given permanent employment.
He noted that with their swift response, the firemen prevented the destruction by the fire outbreak at Gamboru market from escalating to the magnitude witnessed two weeks ago at the Maiduguri Monday Market.
Zulum told the firemen that he was impressed with their gallantry and for that he approved the release of N14.9 million as grants to about 149 firemen operating under both the federal and state fire services.
“I am here purposely to convey my deep appreciation to all of you for the great work you have been doing. Yesterday (Saturday) we had another fire disaster at Gamboru market and I was informed of your efforts towards quenching the fire.
“This goes to show how committed you are and we want to once again extend our appreciation to you,” Zulum said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor directed the employment of 38 volunteer firemen in the state Fire Service as permanent staff.
The volunteers, 20 of them with the Maiduguri International Hotel and 18 with the state fire service, were offering support services without receiving salaries which permanent staff are entitled to.
The governor also directed the management of the state fire service to immediately submit all their requirements that would ensure the optimal performance of firemen in prevention and responses to fire incidents to his office for approval.
READ ALSO: Fire razes Monday Market in Maiduguri (Photos & Video)
Zulum extended a similar gesture to the Federal Fire Service, asking them to submit requirements in order to get some intervention from the state government.
Neptune Prime reports that a fire outbreak on election day razed down shops at the second-largest market in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The fire incident comes barely a few weeks after a fire incident burnt down numerous shops at the popular Maiduguri Monday Market damaging goods and numerous shops.