EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, Port Harcourt
A raging inferno broke out in some sections of the Rivers State Secretariat on Monday October 6th. 2025.
Daily Champion reports that the fire which was said to have started after the close of work, destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the ground floor of the Podium Block in the Secretariat Complex.
The fire also affected key sections of the State Pension Board situated in the same block.
Addressing newsmen, the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. Mrs Inyingi Brown, said no casualty was recorded in the incident.
The Head of Service explained that the ravaging inferno which was caused by a suspected electric fault, was promptly contained by the efforts of both the state and federal fire services.
She said the prompt intervention of the firefighters saved the situation.
Mrs. Brown thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his foresight in rehabilitating the fire service stations in the state.
She said, “Other partners to the state sent fire services, the Federal fire service and the military also sent their trucks, so it was a combined effort and the fire has been contained.
“We thank His Excellency for being proactive in rehabilitating the State fire services before this time, if not this situation would have been worse.
“From preliminary reports we received, the fire was caused by an electrical fault, but we thank God that no life was lost and no medical incident was recorded.”
She, however, urged civil Servants in the state to take responsibility by putting off all electrical appliances at the close of work before leaving their respective offices.
Confirming the incident earlier with newsmen, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said the fire started on the ground floor of the Podium Block.
He commended the men of the state and the fire services for their efforts in putting out the fire promptly to prevent bigger damage.
Our Correspondent reports that the fire incident at the State Secretariat Complex happened days after Governor Siminalayi Fubara threatened to punish civil servants involved in fraudulent activities during the six-month emergency rule in the state.
The Governor had dissolved the State Pensions Board a few days ago with a further threat to probe the activities of the board and other permanent secretaries with skeletons in their cupboards during the emergency period.
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