Umahi said the government was considering making house owners in the state pay ‘moderate and affordable’ levy for the prevention and combating of fire incidents. “We will use it to procure water tankers which will be stationed at strategic locations in the state to combat fire incidents. This is because fire does not wait for water tankers to arrive before unleashing devastation,” he said. The governor said that the decline in federal allocation accruable to states has made it imperative for Ebonyi to look inwards. “We would work assiduously to protect the lives and properties of the people which is the cardinal objective of government,” he said. He said government had made plan to inaugurate a committee which would enlighten the people on prevention of fire incidences. “The committee will educate the people to switch off all electrical appliances when they close their shops or in their houses and generally, when not in use. “It will advise them not to use gas cylinders and generators together, including other inflammable materials at home, business areas and offices. “It is unfortunate that the committee is yet to take off before this incident happened and another fire incident in the Kpirikpiri area of Abakaliki. “I advise the people to be extremely careful especially this harmattan season,” he said.]]>