Kogi Assembly fire outbreak: Group condemns act, calls for thorough investigation.
Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has urged the Police and other relevant security agencies to commence a thorough investigation into the unfortunate burning of Kogi state House of Assembly.
The group suggested that a high powered investigative committee should be set up to ascertain the culpability of groups and individuals responsible for the burning down of the Assembly complex.
The Executive Director of the organization, Idris Miliki Abdul, in a press release issued on Wednesday expressed shock over the dastardly act, describing it as act of cowardice.
He said the burning down of the Chamber, gallery of the Assembly would definitely affect the nascent democracy in Kogi state.
Miliki noted with hope the investigation continues that may likely bring out the cause and possible solution by security and relevant agencies, calling on the State Assembly itself to immediately constitute its own investigative panel.
” We sympathize with the Hourable Members and their staff for the unfortunate calamity that befell the building that houses democratic tents of the state.
” It is worrisome that such magnitude of fire disaster could occurred without intervention from Fire Service of the State, which is an indictment of the assembly its self that makes Laws through appropriations that could have assisted in protecting such a very important and sensitive institution”.
The Executive Director stated.
According to investigation
conducted by the group, reveals that the Fire Service in the State has been for long incapacitated due to lack of equipment and vehicles, that could have salvaged the situation.
The group expressed its disappointment do over the failure of the State House of Assembly for their in ability to provide to have purchased its own Fire Service equipment that should be stationed in the Assembly premises.
It is regrettable that the 21 local government Councils in the State could not boost of one Fire Service Vehicle each. Legislature such as State Assembly are created by the constitutions of Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended to make laws for the good and welfare of the People.
” We call on the Assembly to use this unfortunate development to make Law through appropriation, resolutions and oversight functions for the Fire Service Agency in the state.
” If the state have had modern and enough fire equipment and even one stationed at the Assembly, the level of damage could have been averted
“As we move towards another budget year towards 2023, we call on both the Executives and Legislators to equip disaster management Agencies such as Fire Service and SEMA to reduce unnecessary calamity that we have been witnessing in Kogi State in recent time”. The Human Rights group stated.
