The Delta Commissioner in charge of Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Ernest Ogwezzy, said property worth N65 billion were saved from various fire outbreaks across the state between January and October.

Ogwezzy disclosed this on Thursday in Asaba during a budget defence meeting with the State House of Assembly Committee on Special Duties.

He, however, noted that during the period under review, property worth N11 billion were also lost to various fire disasters in the state.

He said his office responded promptly to 175 distress calls 12 of which were false.

Ogwezzy said that the highest number of distress call came from Asaba with 69, followed by Warri with 38, Ughelli 17, while Sapele recorded 16 among others.

The commissioner also said that in the course of responding to the distress calls, the office rescued six persons alive while three died.

He said the Bureau embarked on a number of projects in 2017, including water hydrant and borehole at the headquarters of the state fire service command, at the cost of N11.6 million.

He said the project, when completed, would enhance effective service adding that the office presently depended on private borehole for water supply.

Ogwezzy further said that another contract for the construction of water hydrant and borehole within the “Event Centre Complex’’ in Asaba was awarded at the cost of N10 million.

He said the directorate was proposing N412 million for the 2018 fiscal year but asked for the amendment of the law establishing the fire service to make it be in tune with modern reality.

Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Mr Kennedy Daubry, commended the Bureau for its achievements in 2017 and urged it to do more in 2018.

Daubry also urged it to seek collaboration with oil companies and the private sector in fire-fighting operation.

He said such collaboration would go a long way in boosting the activities of the command.

Daubry assured that the House would look into the law to enhance efficiency of the directorate.