Takoradi, 27 July, GNA - The government is contracting a total loan of 59 million US dollars from the Indian Exim bank to procure vital logistics to equip the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to enhance its performance.

The first part of the loan of 15 million US dollars would be used to procure 70 water tenders and five foam tenders, Alhaji Adams Sadick, acting chairman of the Fire Service Council, said at a meeting with officers and men of the Service, at Takoradi, on Monday.

Alhaji Sadick, who is the Director of Finance at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, said the second loan contract of 44 million US dollars purchase additional 90 fire tenders, Arial ladders, 500 breathing gadgets, 1,000 protective clothing and some recovery trucks.

He, however, said while waiting for the loan to materialize to procure these items, personnel should endeavour to utilize the limited resources judiciously and work with zeal to achieve the desired results.

The Acting Chairman said the Fire Service Council, aware of the over stretched staff and limited resources, is initiating the move to embark on recruitment of qualified people, while those in the system must upgrade their knowledge to build their capacities.

Concerning the oil discovery off Cape Three Points, in the Western Region, Alhaji Sadick said expectations of performance of staff from the region is high, which calls for maintaining high level of discipline and work to face the task ahead.

Mr Stephen Oscar Cobbina, Western Regional Fire Officer, said though personnel had participated in seminars and workshops, there was the need to undertake regular exercises to help re-position them to face the emerging challenges of the oil find.

Mr Cobbina said from January to date, the region had recorded 46 fire incidents as against 80 during the same period last year, with the serious ones occurring at the Aboadze Thermal Plant and the PWD yard warehouse.

According to him, because of intense education by its staff, fewer bush fire incidents had been recorded while fire volunteers had been trained in Shama, Wassa Amenfi East, Juaboso, Enchi and the entire districts.

The Western Regional Fire Officer said the region is confronted with challenges such as ageing fire appliances, obsolete equipment, inadequate personnel and accommodation.