The Paramount Chief of the Sirigu Traditional Area, Azukodaana, Naba Atogumdeya Roland Akwara III in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region and his people have established a fire service station to address the challenges posed by inaccessible roads, which have hampered emergency response efforts in the area.
The new fire station will also provide an office space for the National Ambulance Service to enhance emergency healthcare services for the community.
Sirigu is a farming community known for its traditional pottery and artwork. It has one of the biggest markets that serves as a revenue hub for the Kassena-Nankana West District assembly.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony over the weekend, Naba Atugudeeya III said “Five years ago, our market which is one of the vibrant markets in the district was caught with fire for four consecutive times and each time it occurred, we normally invite fire service personnel from Paga. But because of the bad road network and the distance, their response was always late. In their last visit, the people of Sirigu hooted at them but they explained the circumstance was beyond them.”
The chief indicated that the inaccessibility of roads for fire tenders from the district capital, Paga, and the regional capital, Bolgatanga, pushed the community member members to put resources together to provide the structure for the Service.
Naba Atugudeeya III again lamented the government’s inaction regarding the broken bridge in the community.
Despite several letters of appeal to the government for repairs, he says their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
He stated that the community’s voting decision in the upcoming December general election would be influenced by the development track records of the governing NPP and the opposition NDC.
Upper East Regional Fire Commander, DCFO Anthony Gyasi Boateng, highlighted the importance of the new fire post, noting that the region recorded an unprecedented 103 domestic fire outbreaks between January and June this year.
He expressed hope that the Sirigu fire post would significantly aid in preventing and managing fire incidents in the region.
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