The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has handed over a fire truck to its Department of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), as part of its efforts to strengthen workplace safety and emergency preparedness within the Commission and its environs.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that safety remained a shared responsibility and emphasised the importance of equipping the HSE Department with essential firefighting tools to support accident prevention and emergency response initiatives.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Director, Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, stated: "This fire truck was bought to ensure the safety of the Commission and its environs, to help to 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 that safety remained a shared responsibility and emphasised the importance of equipping the HSE Department with essential firefighting tools to support accident prevention and emergency response initiatives.

He further said that fire trucks would be provided to all NDDC State offices in the region to mitigate hazards and strengthen emergency response capacity.

In her remarks, the Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Chinyere Umeh, expressed appreciation to the NDDC Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for his commitment to staff welfare and operational safety. She noted that the equipment and fire truck would greatly enhance the department’s capacity to respond promptly to emergencies, promote effective safety practices, and improve environmental protection measures within the Commission.

Umeh expressed appreciation to the Management for the timely intervention and reaffirmed the Department's commitment to ensuring compliance with safety standards and promoting safety awareness across the Commission.

•PHOTO: NDDC Director, Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue (2nd right), hands over the keys to the fire truck to the Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs Chinyere Umeh (3rd right), at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt. With them are the NDDC head facility management in Admin and Human Resources, Engr Alalibo Erefaa (right), Director Human Resources, James Fole (2nd left), and the Director Security, Mr Edgar Okpozo (3rd left)