Diri Sympathises With Yenagoa Fire Victims, Orders Thorough Investigation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed deep sympathy to victims of the fire outbreak that occurred on Friday at Baybridge, Kpansia, in Yenagoa, the state capital, describing the incident as unfortunate and calling for a comprehensive investigation into its cause.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, Governor Diri visited the scene of the incident on Saturday to assess the extent of the damage and reassure affected residents of the government's concern and support.
The deputy governor led a high-powered delegation that included the Comptroller of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Diton Amos, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Daniel Iyamah, and other senior government officials.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting the affected structures, Dr. Akpe conveyed the governor's condolences to the victims while expressing gratitude that no lives were lost in the inferno.
"We are here on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, to show concern over what has happened. This is an emergency situation, but we give glory to God that no life was lost and that the damage did not extend beyond what we are seeing today," he said.
Governor Diri commended the swift response of the Federal Fire Service, security agencies, and residents of the area, noting that their prompt intervention helped prevent the fire from causing greater devastation.
He announced that relevant agencies, including the Police, State Security Department (SSD), and the Fire Service, would carry out a detailed investigation to determine whether the incident resulted from an electrical fault or human activities.
According to him, electricity supply to the affected area would remain disconnected pending the outcome of the investigation to ensure public safety.
"We will take the necessary action to follow up. The Police, SSD, and Fire Service will investigate to ascertain whether the incident was man-made or caused by an electrical fault. Meanwhile, all electrical sources to this environment will remain shut down for now," he stated.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, CP Daniel Iyamah, disclosed that officers were immediately deployed to the scene upon receiving reports of the fire.
"As soon as we were contacted, we deployed our officers to secure the area. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire outbreak," the police commissioner said.
The Director-General of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Hon. Walamam Igrubia, expressed sadness over the incident and assured victims that the agency would take steps to provide necessary assistance.
He said officials had already been deployed to compile a comprehensive list of affected persons and assess the extent of losses incurred.
"We thank God that no life was lost because that is the most important thing. We are gathering details of the victims and the property destroyed, and we hope that whatever has been lost will be recovered," Igrubia said.
One of the victims, Mrs. Douye Josephine Yallah, who sustained injuries during the incident, said the fire broke out at about 9:00 a.m., destroying property worth millions of naira.
Another victim, Miss Blessing Sobotie, described the incident as devastating and appealed to the government, corporate organisations, and well-meaning individuals for assistance.
An eyewitness, Pastor Ezekiel Oteigbanyon, recounted that residents heard a loud explosion before noticing thick smoke rising from the rooftop of the affected building, prompting them to raise the alarm.
The deputy governor was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe; the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe; the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Perepuighe Biewari; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Fred Kemedei; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Agnes Oloye, among other officials.
