Anambra Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Tony-collins Nwabunwanne has visited Dunukofia LGA Secretariat for a first hand inspection of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) which was affected by fire outbreak emanated from bush burning on Wednesday night.
Angel Network News reports that the Commissioner was received and led to scene by the Transition Committee Chairman of Dunukofia LGA, Mr. Onyemaobi Augustine Nonyelum.
Narrating the true story, the LG Chairman said that the fire which is suspected to have been started by herders emanated from the bush behind the Secretariat and affected part of the Primary Health Centre (PHC), a detached bungalow built by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), at the isolated portion inside the LG Secretariat, and about 400m away from the Secretariat Complex.
Nonyelum explained that these herders usually ignite fire in the bushes with the intention of burning the dried grasses to give way for the fresh ones on which their cattle would be grazed, adding that the State Fire Service was on ground to contain the fire and prevent the PHC building from being raised.
Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner frowned at the reckless act of the Herders who were suspected to be the cause of the fire. He promised to contact the leadership of the herders community for a proper education of their members on the dangers of igniting bush fire and leaving it to burn freely. He said this is to ensure that such avoidable incidents doesn’t occur again.
Nwabunwanne also commended the Anambra State Fire Service for their prompt response that prevented the building from total collapse.
The Commissioner and his monitoring team then proceeded to the Afor-igwe market in Umudioka, to inspect the ongoing barricading (iron barricade) of the market by the LG TC Chairman.
The TC Chairman also took the Commissioner to an illegal structure being erected in the market by some charlatans without the approval from the Local Government Council.
However, Hon. Nwabunwanne who was unhappy over the illegal structure ordered for immediate stop of work on the site, noting that markets are under Local Government authority. He threatened to arrest anybody found on that site including the labourers and the market Chairman who was suspected to have gone into hiding on sighting the Commissioner and LG Chairman. .
He added that such structure in the market must pass through the LG Council authority or be stopped and demolished. He advised those who are perpetuating the illegal act to retrace their step or face the consequences.
