The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has strengthened its emergency response capabilities with the handover of a modern fire truck to its Department of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to workplace safety and disaster preparedness.
The handover ceremony, held at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, underscored the agency’s determination to improve safety standards within the Commission and neighbouring communities.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Kelechi Nwelue, described safety as a collective responsibility that requires adequate equipment and proactive planning.
According to him, the acquisition of the fire truck was aimed at ensuring swift response to fire outbreaks within the Commission and surrounding areas.
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“This fire truck was bought to ensure the safety of the Commission and its environs, to help fight fire in the case of any outbreak in and within the neighbourhood. We will assist in fighting fire as much as possible, just like Shell and Julius Berger,” he stated.
Dr Ogbuku noted that the Commission remains focused on strengthening its Health, Safety and Environment Department with essential firefighting tools to improve accident prevention and emergency response operations.
He further disclosed that plans are underway to provide fire trucks to all NDDC state offices across the Niger Delta region as part of broader efforts to reduce hazards and enhance operational safety.
The Managing Director stressed that the initiative reflects the Commission’s renewed emphasis on staff welfare, environmental protection, and the creation of a safer working environment.
In her remarks, the Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Chinyere Umeh, commended the NDDC management for prioritising safety and staff wellbeing through timely intervention and investment in modern emergency equipment.
She said the newly acquired fire truck would significantly improve the department’s ability to respond promptly to emergencies, enforce safety compliance, and promote effective environmental protection practices within the Commission.
Umeh also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to sustaining safety awareness campaigns and ensuring adherence to established safety standards across all NDDC operations.
This development is expected to strengthen the Commission’s emergency preparedness framework while enhancing collaboration with relevant agencies and organisations in tackling fire-related incidents in the region.
