Bayelsa Governor Diri Demands Fire Probe, Offers Solace to Yenagoa Victims

Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State, has extended his sympathies to those affected by a devastating fire that swept through Yenagoa, the state capital, on Friday. Represented by his Deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, Governor Diri dispatched a delegation to the Baybridge, Kpansia area on Saturday to personally evaluate the extent of damage from the inferno.

The official party, which included key personnel such as Mr. Diton Amos, Comptroller of the Federal Fire Service, and CP Daniel Iyamah, the Commissioner of Police for Bayelsa State Command, was spearheaded by the Governor's office. Following a direct assessment of the ravaged properties, the Governor's representative addressed reporters, labeling the occurrence as tragic but expressing profound relief that there were no fatalities. He lauded the prompt actions of the fire service, the police, and local residents, whose quick intervention, he noted, was crucial in preventing a more catastrophic situation.

An assurance was given by the Governor that appropriate government bodies would thoroughly investigate the fire's origin, determining if it stemmed from an electrical malfunction or was intentionally set. Furthermore, he confirmed that power supply to the impacted vicinity would be disconnected throughout the investigative period.

Deputy Governor Akpe stated, “We are here on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor to show concern over what has happened. This is an emergency. However, we give glory to God that no life was lost and that the level of damage did not get beyond what we are seeing. Let me commend the efforts of the fire service agency and other relevant agencies and even the neighbours for their swift intervention; if not, it would have been worse. We will take the necessary action to follow up. The Police, SDS, Comptroller of Fire Services will undertake an investigation to ascertain whether the incident was man-made or it was an electrical fault. Meanwhile, electrical sources to this environment will be shut down for now.”

CP Daniel Iyamah, the Commissioner of Police, disclosed that law enforcement agents were promptly deployed upon receiving notification of the incident, confirming that inquiries are currently underway to pinpoint the precise origin of the conflagration. Walamam Igrubia, the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), conveyed his sorrow regarding the event, pledging the agency's commitment to assist those impacted. Igrubia affirmed, “I have deployed my officials to get a list of the victims affected and information about what has been destroyed. We thank God that no life was lost because that is the most important thing. Whatever is lost here, we hope it would be recovered.”

Douye Josephine Yallah, one of the fire victims who sustained injuries, recounted that the blaze erupted around 9 a.m., resulting in the destruction of assets valued at millions of naira. Both Miss Blessing Sobotie, another individual affected, and Pastor Ezekiel Oteibanyon, an eyewitness, reported hearing a loud noise and observing smoke emanating from a rooftop, prompting them to raise an alarm for neighbours. Miss Sobotie characterized the devastation as extensive, appealing to both the government and philanthropic bodies for urgent aid.

Accompanying the Deputy Governor on his visit were his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe, alongside several state commissioners and permanent secretaries, including Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe (Health), Mr. Perepuighe Biewari (Lands and Survey), Fred Kemedei (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), and Mrs. Agnes Oloye (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs).