-As Rep. Samuel N. Brown embarks on construction process
The construction of a modern fire service station is underway in Ganta City as Nimba County District # 1 Samuel N. Brown on Saturday, February 23, 2024, broke ground for the initiative.
At the brief groundbreaking ceremony witnessed by the Director General of Liberia National Fire Service and the other local authorities, Rep. Brown emphasized the necessity of the station due to previous fire incidents in Ganta City that have caused damage and posed a threat to its residents.
“As you may be aware fire has caused serious problems for our people and still remains dangerous to lives and properties, so we decided to construct a fire service station here with little resources we have,” he said.
Even though the cost of the construction was not disclosed, the project will contain offices and garages for the trucks.
The project, which includes offices and garages for fire trucks, is expected to enhance the fire safety infrastructure in the city.
The Lawmaker disclosed that two fire trucks have been purchased for delivery to the Liberia National Fire Service to be stationed in Ganta alone upon the completion of the construction of the fire station.
Ganta City had witnessed some terrible fire disasters in Liberia during this post war period, claiming lives and destroying huge properties.
In 2017, an Indian national assigned at the Ganta Methodist Hospital as Dentist died when fire gutted his apartment in the premises of the hospital with no means of quenching the fire.
After frantic efforts by residents and sympathizers to get him out failed due to the flames of the fire, he finally lost his life to the fire.
Two years later, fire swept through the main street of Ganta, destroying an apartment block, including five stores.
Few years ago, four persons, including a minor and an elderly woman died from the fire incident in Ganta after several attempts by residents to rescue them failed.
Beside Ganta, the surrounding towns and cities have also witnessed terrible fire disasters, which also claimed lives and destroyed properties.
Last year, businessman Floyd Tomah donated a fire to the LNFS for use in Nimba.
The truck was dedicated and stationed in Sanniquellie in October 2024, but the single truck could not still counter the numerous fire incidents in Nimba, especially Ganta.
A month after the truck was donated, fire destroyed five shopping centers, gutted five bedrooms, before the truck could the fire scene the properties were already destroyed, leaving some citizens to throw stones at the truck for delay tactics.
The Director General of the Liberia National Fire Service, Warsuwah Borvor, welcomed the construction of the station, acknowledging its importance in improving firefighting capabilities. He also commended Rep. Brown for his efforts and encouraged other counties to follow suit in supporting fire safety initiatives.
He also congratulated Rep. Samuel N. Brown and the citizens of Nimba for always giving back to their county.
He said if the counties follow the example of Nimba, it will certainly enhance the capacity of the LNFS in fighting fire.
Ganta City Mayor Samuel Hardt expressed his commitment to collaborating with Rep. Brown for the success of the project.
“We are very happy for this construction of the fire service station, which will be the first of its kind in Ganta and as a city Mayor of Ganta, we will work along with Rep. Brown for the success of the project,” said Mayor Hardt.
Meanwhile, Rep. Brown emphasized the importance of ensuring that all firefighters assigned to the station are included on the LNFS payroll to avoid any personnel issues.
“We don’t want to build this fire service station and then find out that the workers are not on the payroll, so please include all servicemen here on payroll,” he said.
It is noted that the availability of water sources, particularly in terms of a reliable pipe-borne water system with valves, is crucial for the effectiveness of fire trucks. Ganta currently faces challenges in this regard, highlighting the need for continued support and infrastructure development in fire safety efforts.
Additionally, two new fire trucks will be assigned to Ganta City upon completion of the station. This initiative comes in response to past tragic fire incidents in the area, such as the loss of lives and properties in various incidents over the years.
