Otti Begins Construction of Ultra-Modern Fire Emergency Headquarters in Umuahia…To house 10 fire trucks, mini clinic & drone-based dispatch system

The Abia State Government has commenced the construction of a state-of-the-art Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters in Umuahia as part of Governor Alex Otti’s vision to modernise emergency response infrastructure across the state.

Speaking to Journalists at the construction site, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency Services, Mr Chukwunenye Alajemba, said the new facility would replace the old fire service station.

Mr Alajemba explained that the old fire service station, which was constructed before the creation of Abia State, had become completely dilapidated and unsafe for use.

“The Governor of Abia State has decided that Abia State Emergency Services should be second to none and has ordered the demolition of the old fire station that was built before Abia State was created.

“The old fire station was actually falling apart. It was never taken care of. There was no maintenance before the Governor took office”, Mr Alajemba stated.

He disclosed that the new complex would accommodate ten firefighting trucks, an administrative block, a medical emergency mini-clinic, and a modern dispatch call centre equipped with integrated communication systems.

“It’s a complete emergency headquarters centre. The Governor felt that because of the infrastructure he’s putting in place in Abia State, the state deserves to have a state-of-the-art fire station capable of housing about 10 trucks”, he explained.

“We’re hoping that we should finish this project before March next year. Given the kind of work that the contractors have already begun here, that can be achieved”, he said.

The Governor’s aide noted that the new facility would serve as a nerve centre for rapid response to emergencies across the state, incorporating advanced technologies such as drone surveillance, GPS tracking, and automated hospital alerts for medical emergencies.

“The way the Governor has designed this is an end-to-end system, where if you give us a call, we’re able to track where the incident is happening. We’re able to have a live view using drone technology, sometimes even satellite systems.

“The system will also geolocate the nearest hospital best equipped to handle each case and automatically alert the hospital before the ambulance arrives. That’s the kind of technology we’re bringing in here”, he added.

Mr. Alajemba, who said the project was fully funded by the State Government, noted that Governor Otti had already ordered for new fire trucks to boost the state’s capacity.

“The Abia State Fire Service, before now, was not equipped. The Governor actually ordered for some trucks, about two for now, to be delivered before December. More will come as they become available”,

He commended Governor Otti’s commitment to building modern institutions adding that Abia would soon have one of the most responsive and technologically advanced emergency systems in Nigeria.

“We are building a service that will match what you see elsewhere around the world”, Mr Alajemba said.

The Governor’s Aide urged residents to complement the State Government’s efforts by installing certified fire extinguishers in their premises.

“A fire incident can destroy a place within two or three minutes. That is why it’s important for us to have fire extinguishers to stop the fire before calling the emergency services”, Mr Alajemba advised.

The project contractor, Architect Munachiso Okorocha, described the building as a structure consisting of a ground floor and a first floor, designed to bear the heavy load of fire truck, adding that the structure was designed to meet international standards.

“This structure is supposed to accommodate 10 fire trucks,and at any point in time, we will have at least seven or eight trucks ready to attend to fire hazards and other emergencies.

“The structural engineer has taken cognizance of both dead and live loads because the trucks are very heavy”, he added.

Okorocha said that the construction was expected to last 28 weeks, with delivery scheduled in the first quarter of 2026.

“We want to finish before that time, as long as there is an inflow of funds, we will deliver on time and maintain quality. We are confident in the State Government’s commitment to this project”, he said.

By Amarachi Uzoukwu