By Ngozi Onyeakusi — The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has opened a bank account to assist the fire victims in response to enquiries by the people on how to assist the victims of the petrol fire in Onitsha on Wednesday, Oct, 16.

According to a statement by C. Don Adinuba, State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, the account is known as the Anambra State Victims Support Account with account number 5030105029, Fidelity Bank PLC.

“Since the fire of Wednesday, October 16, 2019, which occurred when a tanker laden with petrol fell on Upper Iweka in Onitsha and led to a fire that spread up to Ochanja Market Government through the open drainage, a lot of people have been seeking from the government how they can assist the victims. The government is grateful to these people and many others who are moved by the tragedy. Truly, we are brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

“It is to be administered by the distinguished sons and daughters of our state who serve as trustees of the Anambra State Security Trust Fund led by Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, MFR, Chairman of Chisco Group,” the statement said.

It urged all Anambra indigenes, friends, in laws and well wishers “to give generously to our brothers and sisters who are now all of a sudden in dire need of assistance. Let us demonstrate, once more, our famed abundance of humanism”.

The Commissioner disclosed that Gov. Willie Obi has initiated a move to grant the Anambra State Fire Service greater autonomy and subject to approval by the Anambra State House of Assembly, the law setting up the state Fire Service will be amended to make it independent of the state Ministry of Public Utilities or any other ministry.

“The autonomy will free it from unnecessary bureaucratic encumbrances and enable it to respond more effectively to the challenges of its mandate.

“Consequently, the agency will have as its managing director, Air Vice Marshall Ben Chiobi, who is currently the special adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Creative Security as well as coordinator of the Anambra State Integrated Security System,” the commissioner said.