Regional News of Saturday, 11 May 2024

Source: Rafiq Nungor Adam, Contributor

Lambussie Fire Service station receives support from NDC's Titus Beyuo

Dr. Titus K. Beyuo also provided support to the ambulance service Dr. Titus K. Beyuo also provided support to the ambulance service

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Lambussie in the Upper West Region, Dr. Titus K. Beyuo has donated a new generator and two car batteries to the Lambussie Fire Service station to support the fire service's operations in the district.

Additionally, he provided support to the ambulance service with four lorry tyres, worth Twenty thousand Five hundred Ghana Cedis.

Dr. Titus Beyuo also emphasized the importance of both services being well-equipped and ready to respond promptly to emergencies all the time.

The gesture was met with gratitude from various stakeholders, including the paramount chief of the Lambussie traditional area, the health director, and the leadership of the National Fire Service and Ambulance.

The fire tender in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region has been non-operational since September 2023 due to a mechanical fault in the further way pump (Generator).

This has left residents vulnerable to fire outbreaks, as they are compelled to rely on the Nandom municipal fire station, which is approximately 7.3km away for assistance.

On April 7, 2024, a fire broke out in a house in Suke, Lambussie District, prompting a call to the local fire station. However, responders reported that their machine had broken down.

Subsequently, they reached out to the Nandom municipal fire station, but by the time assistance arrived, several rooms and stores had already been consumed by the raging inferno.

As a result, properties and personal effects worth thousands of Ghana Cedis were lost to the inferno.

Saabezaa Godwin, a victim of the fire incident, recounted that the fire started on a Sunday when many residents were away at church or the market.

The delay in response, according to him, meant that little could be salvaged from the affected rooms and stores.

"The fire engulfed ten rooms, including four stores situated in front of the compound house. Since many of us were attending church or at the market during the incident, we were unable to salvage any belongings from our rooms. Upon contacting the Lambussie fire station, we were informed that their machine was out of commission. Subsequently, they reached out to the Nandom fire station for assistance, but by the time they arrived in Suke, all the affected houses had already been consumed by the flames," he recounted.

In an interview with a fire officer at Lambussie Fire Station who prefers to remain anonymous, he revealed that the fire tender's generator had been non-functional since September 2023.

According to him, despite reporting the issue to the district assembly, there was no positive response till that unfortunate fire incident occurred.

He said: “It only takes 5 minutes for a fire to engulf a room. But consider the distance our fire tender has to travel from Nandom to Lambussie. By the time it arrives, many rooms could already be ablaze, let alone reaching Suke and other communities within the district."

"We have reached out to the District Assembly, appealing for assistance to repair the faulty machine. Unfortunately, we have received no positive response to date. All they have told us is they don't have the funds yet."